What's wrong with a high blood pressure? Published May 29, 2008 By Capt. (Dr.) Derrick Storey 47th Medical Group LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Hypertension is a disease of high blood pressure. This is the pressure of blood circulating and pressing on the inner walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is measured as systolic (pressure as heart beats) over diastolic (pressure when heart relaxes). Normal pressure is less than 130/80 after 15 minutes of rest, and pre-hypertension is 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic. Pre-hypertension means the individual is at risk of progressing to full hypertension. Hypertension proper then has Stage 1 systolic 140-159 or diastolic 90-99 and Stage 2 sys. >159 or diastolic >99. Diagnosis of this is made over time, with persistently high readings at three office visits as scheduled at your doctor's guidance. The problem with hypertension is not that blood vessels will explode under the pressure or that the pressure will cause additional symptoms. Instead, untreated pressure over time puts extra strain on the heart and arteries, damaging these tissues and leading to higher risks of heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. High blood pressure alone usually has no symptoms unless part of the damage is done to an organ, such as the eyes or kidneys. For more information, you can check this website: www.americanheart.org