Under Pressure: The Most Important Number Public Servants Never Check
Municipal workers watch numbers all day: response times, budgets, caseloads, potholes filled, calls returned. The one number few of them check is their own blood pressure. Public service can mean long shifts, constant interruptions, and the steady stress of being the person everyone calls when something goes wrong. That pressure doesn't stay at the office. The following article explains what high blood pressure is, why it often has no symptoms, and how chronic stress is one of the risk factors behind it.
Your blood pressure changes throughout the day based on your activities. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. High blood pressure is consistently at or above 130/80 mm Hg. Having blood pressure consistently above normal may result in a diagnosis of high blood pressure.
Signs and symptoms
High blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms, so many people do not know they have it. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to measure your blood pressure regularly.
Complications
High blood pressure can damage your health over time, especially if it is not treated. It can harm your heart, brain, and kidneys. Managing your blood pressure can help lower your risk for these serious health conditions:
Heart and blood vessel disease
High blood pressure can damage your heart and blood vessels, which increases your risk for heart disease, including heart attack, heart failure, and chest pain (angina). It can also increase your risk for heart valve disease.
Stroke and brain health
High blood pressure increases your risk for stroke. It is also linked to poorer cognitive function and a higher risk of dementia later in life, especially when high blood pressure develops during midlife.
Kidney disease
High blood pressure can damage your kidneys and is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease.
Risk factors
Many factors can increase your risk for developing high blood pressure, including lifestyle behaviors, health conditions, and family history.
Behaviors that can increase risk
Eating a diet high in sodium and low in potassium.
Not getting enough physical activity.
Drinking too much alcohol.
Using tobacco products, including smoking, vaping, and nicotine pouches.
Conditions that can increase risk
Elevated blood pressure (120–129/<80 mm Hg)
Diabetes
Overweight and obesity
Pregnancy
Other factors that can increase risk
Age
Family history and genetics
Race and ethnicity
Long-term stress and certain mental health conditions
Certain medications
Prevention
No matter your age, you can take steps each day to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.
Many people with high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure into a healthy range or keep their numbers in a healthy range by making lifestyle changes. Talk with your health care team about:
Physical activity each week (about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week)
Not smoking
Eating a healthy diet, including limiting sodium (salt) and alcohol
Keeping a healthy weight
Managing stress
In addition to making positive lifestyle changes, some people with high blood pressure need to take medicine to manage their blood pressure.
Talk with your health care team right away if:
You think you have high blood pressure.
If you've been told you have high blood pressure but do not have it under control.
By taking action to lower your blood pressure, you can help protect yourself against heart disease and stroke, also called cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Diagnosis
Your health care team can diagnose high blood pressure by measuring your blood pressure. Because blood pressure naturally changes throughout the day, your health care provider may take multiple readings over more than one visit. They may also recommend you monitor your blood pressure with a validated monitor at home to help confirm the diagnosis.
Health care professionals may use these guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) to diagnose high blood pressure:
* Symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking.
Treatment
In addition to practicing healthy lifestyle habits, many people may also need medicine to help control their blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure, talk with your health care team about a treatment plan that's right for you.
You take care of your city every day. Take five minutes this week to take care of yourself: check your numbers, and get a colleague to check theirs too.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "About High Blood Pressure," last reviewed October 13, 2026. This material was developed by CDC and is available free of charge on the CDC website. Its use does not imply endorsement by CDC, HHS, or the U.S. Government of CityGov or its services.
