Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common disease that affects about 70 million Americans, but only about half of affected Americans have their blood pressure under control. 1 in 3 adults have prehypertension, meaning they are in the blood pressure range that is at risk for hypertension, but the numbers are not high enough to diagnose them with the disease. Hypertension diagnosed when a person has tension, or high pressure, in the arteries. The more blood is pumped into a person's arteries and the narrower the arteries become, the higher the blood pressure. High blood pressure, if left untreated, poses a huge risk of developing several problems, including heart disease and heart attacks. Almost everyone will have high blood pressure during their lifetime as it develops over the course of the year. Fortunately, it is one of the most easily detectable diseases. Blood pressure can be read by doctors using a sphygmomanometer8b or a blood pressure cuff. The cuff is placed on your upper arm and inflated with air to stop blood flow. Blood pressure is measured in two numbers, systolic and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when they begin to contract while diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes. Once the cuff begins to deflate, the doctor, with a stethoscope, or machine listens for the first pulse. The pressure at which the pulse is felt is the systolic pressure, or the highest number. Once the pulsation stops, the pressure at which it stopped is the diastolic pressure, or lower number. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80, pre-hypertension blood pressure is between 120/80 and 139/89, high blood pressure is 140/90 and above, and low blood pressure... center of card ... ...meditation techniques such as meditation, slow and deep breathing and sufficient hours of sleep. (Sheps, 1999) Overall, hypertension does not favor one gender over another. However, women are more likely to contract the disease after the age of 65, while men are the most affected gender under 45. African Americans have a higher chance of developing hypertension than people of white or Hispanic ethnicity, especially African American women. (Nhbli, 2012) Hypertension is labeled the “silent killer,” yet it is also one of the most easily detectable diseases in the world. Regular visits to the doctor can help patients be aware of any diseases their bodies may be hiding, including the silent killer. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent it from turning into a serious problem. Knowing and understanding the causes, prevention and function means being one step closer to a clean bill of health.