High blood pressure has no symptoms, but it can kill or injure. It leads to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney damage, blindness and other medical problems. While there’s no cure for high blood pressure, it is controllable.

As a woman grows older, her chance of having high blood pressure becomes greater than a man’s. You may have had normal blood pressure most of your life, but after menopause your chance of getting high blood pressure increases considerably.

Nobody knows why, but studies show that African American women—even very young black women—are much more susceptible to high blood pressure than white women. Not only is the disease more common among black women, but often it’s more serious.

Be aware of your risk factors and get screened regularly for high blood pressure. If you do have the condition, work out a treatment plan with your healthcare professional and follow it.

What the Numbers Mean

• A blood pressure reading of less than 120/80 mm Hg is considered normal.
• If you have a reading of 120–139/80–89, your doctor will begin non-drug treatment, or lifestyle modifications, like asking you to cut down on your salt intake, lose weight and engage in regular physical activity.
• If you have a reading of 140/90 or higher, your physician will probably begin drug therapy in addition to lifestyle modifications.