Understanding Blood Pressure. How High is Too High

Blood pressure is what you feel when your heart pumps blood through your arteries. High blood pressure, or hypertension, means the heart has to work harder than it should to push blood through your body. Too much pressure can cause damage to your heart and other organs, while too little can lead to fainting spells or even death. Normal blood pressure ranges from 120/80 (or lower) to 160/100 while hypertension ranges from 140/90 to 180/110