As the heart pumps blood, it produces force as the blood pushes against the blood vessel. This force is quantified in the form of blood pressure. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is a potentially dangerous condition because it causes the heart muscles to work harder. This condition also increases the risk of hardening the blood vessels, which contributes to a variety of life-threatening health disorders like atherosclerosis, heart failure or attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Normal blood pressure is 120/80. There are two stages in high blood pressure: Stage 1 ranges from 140/90 to 159/99 while Stage 2 is from 160/100 and above. There are several causes of high blood pressure: • Tobacco smoking • Obesity or being overweight • Leading to a lethargic or inactive lifestyle • High-sodium diet • Excessive alcohol consumption • Stress • Advanced age • Family history of high blood pressure Discover a one-stop primary care, family medicine, internal medicine, and urgent care medical clinic close to home. Call us for information or use our convenient request an appointment form. We serve patients from Mineola NY, Melville NY, Westbury NY, Floral Park NY, Uniondale NY, Hicksville NY, Wyandanch NY, South Huntington NY, and BEYOND!