This text provides information on high blood pressure, its diagnosis, risk factors, prevention strategies, and management of the condition. Here's a summary of the key points: **What is High Blood Pressure?** High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. **Diagnosis** High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, but regular blood pressure checks from a healthcare provider can help diagnose it. The doctor uses a gauge, stethoscope, or electronic sensor to take two or more readings at separate appointments. **Risk Factors** Certain factors increase the risk of developing high blood pressure: * Age * Race/Ethnicity (African American adults are more likely) * Weight (overweight or obesity) * Sex (men before 55, women after 55) * Lifestyle habits: + Eating too much sodium (salt) + Not enough potassium + Lack of exercise + Drinking too much alcohol + Smoking * Family history **Prevention** You can help prevent high blood pressure by having a healthy lifestyle: 1. **Eat a healthy diet**: Limit sodium, increase potassium, and eat foods low in fat. 2. **Get regular exercise**: Aim for moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (at least 2.5 hours/week) or vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise (1 hour and 15 minutes/week). 3. **Maintain a healthy weight**: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of high blood pressure. 4. **Limit alcohol**: Men should have no more than two drinks/day, women only one. 5. **Not smoke**: Cigarette smoking raises blood pressure and increases heart attack and stroke risk. 6. **Manage stress**: Exercise, listen to music, focus on calm things, or meditate. **Management** If you already have high blood pressure: * Get regular medical care * Follow your prescribed treatment plan (healthy lifestyle habits and possibly medicine)