Mantener su presión arterial dentro de un rango saludable es una de las mejores cosas que puede hacer para su salud. That's because high blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other health problems.
Nearly half of adults in the U.S., about 120 million people, have high blood pressure, says the Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades. And only 25 percent of them have it under control.
High blood pressure (HBP) can be deadly. And many people don't know they have it. That's why it's called "the silent killer." The only way to know if you're at risk is to have it checked often.
What Exactly Is It?
La presión arterial es la fuerza que su sangre ejerce sobre sus paredes arteriales al circular a través de su organismo. Blood pressure often rises and falls throughout the day, but it can cause health problems if it stays high.
¿Corre riesgo?
Anyone, including children, can have it. Some things that are beyond your control can raise your risk for high blood pressure. Incluyen su edad, sexo y raza o grupo étnico. But you can lower your risk with . That includes keeping a healthy weight, being physically active, not smoking and eating a healthy diet. Talk with your doctor about what you can do to lower your risk for high blood pressure.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
La presión arterial alta no suele tener signos o síntomas de advertencia, por lo que muchas personas no saben que la sufren. That's why it's vital to have your blood pressure .
How Do You Know if It’s High?
Checking your blood pressure is the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure.
Blood pressure readings measure two things. One is the force that pushes on the walls of your blood vessels as they carry blood and oxygen to your organs. That is called systolic pressure.
The second number is the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart rests between beats. That is called diastolic pressure.
If either number is too high, it means that your blood vessels are under too much pressure. That can raise your risk for blood clots and other serious health problems.
One method of checking is at your doctor's office. Most often, they'll check it by wrapping an inflatable cuff with a pressure gauge around your arm to squeeze the blood vessels. Then they listen to your pulse with a stethoscope while releasing air from the cuff.
El tensiómetro mide la presión de los vasos sanguíneos cuando late el corazón (sistólica) y cuando está en reposo (diastólica).
Another method is checking your blood pressure at home. Home blood pressure monitors are easy to find and start at about $20. And they're easy to use. Many store your readings so you can show them to your doctor. It's a good way to track an important measure of your health.
Home blood pressure monitoring can be an important part of managing blood pressure. But many people don't do it. En una of adults 50 to 80 years old, less than half of those with high blood pressure (hypertension) regularly checked their blood pressure.
Like any other healthy habit, monitoring your blood pressure at home only helps if you do it. Try linking it to something you remember to do regularly. Or aim for the same time each day. Soon you won't even have to remind yourself.
Whether you get your blood pressure measured at your doctor’s office or do it yourself at home, it’s important to make sure it’s being measured correctly.
How Is It Treated?
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe medicine to treat it. And lifestyle changes can be just as important as taking medicines.
Try these tips for lowering your blood pressure from the American Heart Association:
- Eat a healthy diet. Limit salt (sodium), fat and cholesterol.
- Mantenga un peso saludable. Talk with your doctor if you need help.
- Avoid or limit alcohol.
- Make staying active a daily part of your life. Talk with your doctor before starting any type of exercise program.
- Si fuma, déjelo.
- Manage stress and tension. Try walking, writing in a journal, meditation, relaxation techniques or yoga.
- Get your family involved in your plan.
If you have high blood pressure, be sure to check it regularly and take any medicine your doctor orders as directed. Si presenta algún efecto secundario, no deje de tomarlos sin consultarlo antes con su médico.
Fuentes: , Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades; , CDC, 2024; , CDC, 2025; , CDC, 2024; American Heart Association; , JAMA Network Medical News, 2022