Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                Women's Health

Women's Health

                        


                        Women's Health Topics
          Women's Health Research
          OWH Education and Training
          OWH News and Updates
          OWH Resources for Stakeholders
          About OWH Home
          For Consumers
          Women's Health
          High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)Women's Health High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
  
  	
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintEn Español

High Blood Pressure - Medicines

blood pressure monitoring

Who is at risk?
	How is high blood pressure treated?
	Understanding your blood pressure: What do the numbers mean?
	How do I control my high blood pressure?High blood pressure (also called **hypertension**) is a serious illness that affects nearly 65 million adults in the United States. High blood pressure is often called a "silent killer" because many people have it but don't know it. Over time, people who do not get treated for high blood pressure can get very sick or even die.

**What does high blood pressure do to your body?**

High blood pressure can cause life-threatening illnesses like kidney problems, stroke, heart failure, blindness, and heart attacks.

**Who is at risk?**

Anyone can have high blood pressure. Some people are more likely to have high blood pressure including:

African Americans
	People over age 55
	People with a family history of high blood pressureYour chances of having high blood pressure are higher if you:

Are overweight
	Eat foods high in salt
	Do not get regular exercise
	Smoke
	Drink alcohol heavily**What are the signs of high blood pressure?**

Many people with high blood pressure do not feel sick at first. The only way to know for sure is to get your blood pressure checked by a doctor or other health professional.

**How is high blood pressure treated?**

There are medicines people can take every day to control their high blood pressure. Only your doctor can tell if you need to take medicines.

**Understanding your blood pressure: What do the numbers mean?**

When you have your blood pressure taken at the doctor, you are told 2 numbers like 120/80. Both numbers are important.

The first number is your pressure when your heart beats **(systolic pressure).** The second number is your pressure when your heart relaxes **(diastolic pressure).**

Your blood pressure goes up and down during the day, depending on what you are doing. Brief rises in blood pressure are normal, but the higher your blood pressure stays, the more at risk you are.

If your blood pressure is often greater than **140/90,** you may need treatment.

If your blood pressure is greater than 120/80, and you have other **risk factors, like diabetes,** you may need treatment.

**How does high blood pressure affect pregnant women?**

A few women will get high blood pressure when they are pregnant. When pregnant women get high blood pressure, it is called preeclampsia or toxemia.

**How do I control my high blood pressure?**

Check your blood pressure.
	Take your high blood pressure medicine every day if needed.
	Exercise often.
	Eat foods low in salt.
	Lose weight or keep weight at a healthy level.
	Do not smoke.
	Limit alcohol.
	Talk to your doctor regularly about your pressure.To Learn More

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
	NHLBI Blood Pressure InformationResources For You

High Blood Pressure--Medicines to Help You
	Cholesterol Medicines
	Women and Diabetes
	Heart Health for Women
	Get Other FDA Publications for Women
	For Women Homepage

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      05/29/2019Women's Health

          
                        


                        Women's Health Topics
          Women's Health Research
          Education and Training
          News and Updates
          Resources for Stakeholders
          About OWH
 
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop