Blood pressure is the force your blood uses to move through your arteries, measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Early blood pressure cuffs, first used in the late 1800s, relied on mercury-filled glass tubes—higher pressure pushed the mercury higher, making the measurement easy to see. Today’s cuffs no longer use mercury, but they still measure in mm Hg because the system remains accurate and reliable.
Why Blood Pressure Is Important
High blood pressure (also called hypertension) often has no symptoms. Many people feel fine and don’t know it’s elevated. That’s why it’s sometimes called a “silent condition.”
Over time, high blood pressure can:
• Damage the heart
• Increase the risk of stroke
• Harm the kidneys
• Damage blood vessels and eyes
The good news? Blood pressure is very manageable, and even small improvements can make a big difference.
What the Numbers Mean
According to the American Heart Association (AHA):
• Normal: Less than 120 / less than 80
• Elevated: 120–129 / less than 80
• High Blood Pressure (Stage 1): 130–139 or 80–89
• High Blood Pressure (Stage 2): 140+ or 90+
If either number is high, it still matters.
How to Measure Blood Pressure Correctly
You can check blood pressure at a clinic, pharmacy, or at home.
Tips for an accurate reading:
• Sit quietly for 5 minutes before measuring
• Feet flat on the floor, back supported
• Arm at heart level
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine, or exercise for 30 minutes before
• Take two readings and average them
Home readings are often more accurate than one reading in a medical office. The AHA recommends home monitoring for many adults.
You don’t need special equipment or a clinic visit to check your blood pressure. Many pharmacies and grocery stores offer free, walk-up blood pressure machines that anyone can use. In Northwest Iowa, these machines are often available at stores like Hy‑Vee, Fareway, Walmart, and some CVS Pharmacy locations. Community spaces such as libraries, senior centers, and community health events may also provide access. In Sioux Center, the public library even offers a blood pressure cuff check-out system, allowing residents to borrow a monitor and check their blood pressure at home in a calm, familiar setting.
Your health matters. Reach out to Promise Community Health Center, 712-722-1700 to schedule a blood pressure screening or learn more about managing your blood pressure.