If you've ever been to a doctor, you've had your blood pressure measured. But once that big cuff has finished squeezing your arm, what do the numbers at the end of it mean? Understanding blood pressure isn't complicated, but it can be confusing. Union Health cardiovascular providers can help you make sense of your blood pressure readings and what they mean for your health.

Blood pressure is one measure of how well your heart is working. When your heart beats, it sends freshly oxygenated blood to your arteries. The force of that blood pushing against the artery walls is your blood pressure. Your blood pressure naturally changes throughout the day, dropping when you are sleeping or at rest, and increasing when you are moving around or exercising.

Your blood pressure is measured with two numbers. The first number, or top number, is your systolic pressure. This measures the pressure when your heart beats. The second number, or the bottom number, is your diastolic pressure. This measures the pressure in between beats. Your total blood pressure is the first number over the second.

While every person's "normal" blood pressure is slightly different, an average healthy blood pressure is one that is less than 120 over less than 80 mm Hg. If your blood pressure is between 120-129 over less than 80, that is called elevated blood pressure. Any consistent blood pressure reading higher than 130 systolic and over 80 diastolic means that you have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is also called hypertension. Often people have no symptoms of hypertension, which is why it is sometimes called a silent killer. But ongoing high blood pressure can increase your risk of developing health problems such as cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. It can also lead to a heart attack or stroke.

High blood pressure is common as people age, but younger people can still develop it. Hypertension can also be caused by certain medications or other health conditions.

For most people, the lower your systolic and diastolic blood pressures, the healthier your heart is. And some people naturally have low blood pressure. But low blood pressure – often defined as 90 over 60 mm Hg – can sometimes be dangerous. Symptoms of low blood pressure include:

• Blurry vision
• Clammy skin
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Feeling weak or exhausted
• Nausea

Low blood pressure, or hypotension, may be caused by dehydration, diabetes, heart disease, certain medications, and pregnancy. If you are experiencing signs of low blood pressure, discuss them with your doctor.

If you have developed high blood pressure, you can make lifestyle changes to lower your numbers. Common changes include:

• Avoiding alcohol
• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Getting plenty of exercise
• Losing weight
• Managing stress
• Quitting smoking

Medications may also help you control your blood pressure. Talk to your provider about how you can address your blood pressure and mitigate your risk of heart disease.