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How High Is Your Blood Pressure IQ?

See how much you really know about this common health condition

By

Rachel Nania,

 
AARP
Published October 28, 2024
heart shape with pressure gauge
DARRELL EAGER/GALLERY STOCK

Question 1 of 8

High blood pressure is:

According to the American Heart Association, this force can damage the walls of the blood vessels and lead to a number of health problems.

Question 2 of 8

True or false: It’s normal for your blood pressure to change throughout the day

Blood pressure typically starts to rise in the morning, peak around midday, and drop in the afternoon and evening.

Question 3 of 8

How many adults have high blood pressure?

 

Nearly half of U.S. adults (48.1 percent or 119.9 million people) have high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Question 4 of 8

True or false: A blood pressure reading of 130/80 is considered high.

A blood pressure reading of 130/80 mm Hg or greater is considered high, according to guidelines updated in 2017. A blood pressure of 120-129/80 mm Hg is elevated, and readings between 90/60 and 120/80 mm Hg are considered normal.

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Question 5 of 8

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can put you at higher risk for:

It can also lead to kidney problems, heart failure, metabolic syndrome and aneurysms.

Question 6 of 8

You can lower your blood pressure by:

A study published in 2021 in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that adults who practiced a type of deep breathing for six weeks saw their systolic blood pressure – the first number in a reading – drop significantly. Read more about breathing exercises for blood pressure on AARP.org.

Question 7 of 8

The following is a symptom of high blood pressure:

High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it typically has no signs or symptoms.

Question 8 of 8

You can prevent high blood pressure by:

Your blood pressure increases every time you smoke a cigarette. One study published in the Journal of Hypertension found that smoking two cigarettes per hour could raise daytime blood pressure by 5 to 6 millimeters.

You have unanswered questions. Please go back and complete those questions to finish the quiz.

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