High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common health concern that affects nearly half of adults nationwide. It's often referred to as the "silent killer" because it can go unnoticed for years while quietly damaging your arteries and increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health conditions. Fortunately, there are effective lifestyle strategies you can implement to help control your blood pressure and promote overall health. These measures include exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco and nicotine and using healthy eating strategies. What do the Numbers Mean? Blood pressure is a measure of the amount of force (pressure) generated by the heart when it contracts and during rest. Blood pressure measurements are recorded as two numbers, known as systolic and diastolic values respectively.  Systolic pressure represents the pressure when the heart contracts, diastolic pressure represents the amount of force [...]