Get a 4-week walking regimen to improve your heart health.
From chocolate and blood pressure study to napping and blood pressure, this heart-health biometric is a regular topic on EatingWell and one followers want to learn more about.
The pressure of blood in the arteries defines blood pressure.
High blood pressure makes the heart work harder to pump blood "Planted Performance author Natalie Rizzo, M.S., RD, a plant-based sports dietitian at Greenletes in New York City.
The American Heart Association defines "normal" as 120/80 mmHg or less and "stage 1 hypertension" as 130-139/80-89.
Stage 2 is 140/90 mmHg or higher, and "hypertensive crisis"—requiring rapid medical attention—occurs at 180/120 mmHg.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause chest pain, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke, according to the CDC.