High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is characterized by blood pressure that is higher than normal. Your blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day as a result of your activities. Having blood pressure readings that are consistently higher than normal may lead to a diagnosis of high blood pressure (or hypertension).

The higher your blood pressure, the greater your risk of developing other health issues such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. By comparing your systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels to those found in certain guidelines, your healthcare team can diagnose high blood pressure and make treatment decisions.