What Is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of circulating blood on the walls of your arteries. Blood pressure is taken using two measurements: Systolic (measured when the heart beats, when blood pressure is at its highest) and Diastolic (measured between heart beats, when blood pressure is at its lowest). Blood pressure is written with the systolic blood pressure first, followed by the diastolic blood pressure (for example 120/80).

 So what exactly is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is when the force of your blood against the walls of your blood vessels is too high.

Translation: Just as too much air pressure can damage a tire, too much blood pressure can hurt your arteries and internal organs—potentially leading to a variety of serious health concerns, including dementia and premature death.

Approximately 46% of adults—that’s nearly 82,000 people in Central Oregon alone—have high blood pressure. Are you at risk? High blood pressure doesn’t typically have symptoms, so the only way to know is to have your BP checked. It’s fast, easy—and often free.