What Are the Benefits of Good Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is called the "silent killer." It is linked to many of the major causes of death: coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and other health problems. Often there are no apparent symptoms.

Blood Pressure

• Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure the blood exerts on the artery and vein walls as the heart beats. The higher the pressure, the greater the stress/trauma to blood vessel walls and the more quickly they wear out.

Heart Benefits of Good BP

• One of the leading causes of heart disease is high BP. The harder the heart has to work to pump blood, the greater the risk of its damage.

Good BP Helps Prevent Stroke

• A stroke can leave all or part of the body paralyzed. Of the 5 million strokes occurring each year in the United States, the American Heart Association states that 70 percent are directly linked to high BP.

Good BP Helps Prevent Kidney Disease

• High BP can eventually damage blood vessels all over the body. Damaged vessels in the kidneys can prevent the proper elimination of waste and fluids.

What Are Good BP Levels

• The best blood pressure levels are less than 120 systolic (the "top" number) and 80 diastolic (the "bottom" number).