High blood pressure is also called arterial hypertension. Arterial hypertension is defined as a permanent increase of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (maximum and minimum blood pressure value).
Increased values measured once or occasionally do not necessarily mean a high blood pressure. For diagnosis, regularly increased measurement values are crucial. The optimum blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg (according to the target values set by WHO). The limit for arterial hypertension for adults is 140/90 mm Hg. Hypertension values vary heavily:
- moderate hypertension: values are permanently above 160/100 mm Hg
- severe hypertension: values are permanently above 180/110 mm Hg
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke. It leads to thickening and stiffening of the blood vessels (arteriosclerosis). Patients with high blood pressure therefore suffer a stroke more often than people without high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the relative risk of suffering a stroke six- to eight-fold compared to a person without hypertension. The level plays a special role, because with the level of blood pressure, the risk of stroke increases. Treatment of high blood pressure, however, leads in turn to a significant risk reduction compared to untreated patients.
A major problem is that high blood pressure is still too rarely recognized. Usually the person concerned does not notice high blood pressure because it does not hurt. It is therefore important to check blood pressure regularly and initiate treatment if necessary. Everyone should know his or her blood pressure.