According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as one of every three American adults have high blood pressure but only half of those are being treated for it. This is because there are often no warning signs or symptoms for high blood pressure.

Because there are often no warning signs and because high blood pressure can do damage to your body before you know you have it, it's important to have your blood pressure checked regularly..

    High blood pressure(hypertension) is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. For some people, the first sign that they have high blood pressure is a heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure can cause impaired vision, hardening of the arteries and congestive heart failure. Anyone can develop high blood pressure but aging increases your risk.

People who doe not have high blood pressure at age 55 have a 90% chance of developing it during their lifetime. African Americans tend to develop high blood pressure earlier in life and more often than Caucasians. Persons who have a family history of high blood pressure, people who are overweight and those who have prehypertension are at a greater risk for developing hypertension.

It only takes a minute or two to have your blood pressure checked. Check with your County Health Department to see if they provide that service during normal business hours. Many pharmacies and discount prescription retailers also have blood pressure equipment that you can use at no cost. The blood pressure reading will register as one number over the other.

† The top number, your systolic pressure, is measured as the heart beats.

† The bottom number, your diastolic pressure, is measured as the heart rests between beats. These numbers represent the force of blood against your arteries.