Nearly 1 in 3 Americans have high blood pressure (hypertension), but because there are no symptoms, one third of those with high blood pressure don't know that they have it.

How much do you know about blood pressure?
What do those numbers mean? Which number is more important? What is a healthy blood pressure?
Test your knowledge with our blood pressure quiz.

When's the last time you had your blood pressure checked?
Higher pressure weakens the walls of the blood pressures over time. A blood pressure check is a simple and quick test that helps doctors understand what's going on inside your body.

What do those blood pressure numbers mean?
The top number of the blood pressure test - called systolic - tells doctors how powerful the force can been inside your blood vessles, or how high your blood pressure can get. The lower number - called diastolic - is the force of blood between heart beats, the lowest pressure in the blood vessels. Both numbers are important and need to be treated if either one is high.

Physician featured in this segment
Dr. John Chin
Sutter Independent Physicians

PATIENT RESOURCES

Videos High blood pressure (wmv) Test your knowledge with our blood pressure quiz.

From Our Health Library What is high blood pressure? Frequently asked questions What happens Prevention Living with high blood pressure

Online Health Tools Should I take medication for high blood pressure? Monitoring your blood pressure at home

In the News College kids charting a path towards chronic disease Blood pressure linked to development of glaucoma Exercise training helps control blood pressure Omega-3 fats from food may lower blood pressure Blood pressure climbs along with weight