Hypertension or high blood pressure does not have exact symptoms or signs, that’s why there is a difficulty with its diagnose. Untreated hypertension leads to serious health problems and heart illness.

It is strongly recommended to measure blood pressure regularly, especially if you have blood pressure that is higher than it should be or you have relatives who suffered from hypertension. It is advised to test if heart illness is available because hypertension can lead to problems with heart.

There are different ways of blood pressure measurement: in hospital, at a pharmacy or at home with your own or purchased blood pressure monitor. Usually blood pressure is measured with a sphygmomanometer, an instrument that consists of a stethoscope, arm cuff, dial, pump, and valve.

There are two kinds of pressure that are measured with a sphygmomanometer: systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure of the blood at the periods of heartbeats. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure that is measure at the periods between heartbeats.

The measurement of blood pressure is conducted in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and it is given as systolic over diastolic (120/80 mm Hg, or "120 over 80"). It is quite normal to have blood pressure less than 120/80 mm Hg. Prehypertension demands such blood pressure as 120-139/80-89. We call high blood pressure the pressure that is 140/90 or more.

Blood pressure can lower or increase such factors as age, heart condition, emotions (stress or happiness), physical activity and the drugs consumed by you. It is recommended to recheck your blood pressure some time afterwards to see if it is really high or it is caused by temporary factors.

After the blood measurement you are probably asked if you have had hypertension or any problems connected with heart previously. Such factors as smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes and close relatives suffering from hypertension or heart illness influence the appearance of development of hypertension.

Your heart can be checked to see if any abnormal sounds are available or if your arteries have a bruit, a whooshing or swishing sound is observed that is a proof that the artery is blocked. The pulses in your arm and ankle are also checked to see if they are weak or absent.

To check if heart illness is available, such tests are recommended:

   * Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): It is conducted with the help of electrodes put to your arms, legs, and chest for the measurement of the electrical activity, rate and rhythm of heartbeat.
    * Echocardiogram: It is the use of ultrasound waves that check the heart's valves, chambers and how the heart pumps blood. 
    * Cardiac stress test: It is a test that measures blood pressure during physical activity when your heart rate becomes higher. It can be conducted together with an echocardiogram or nuclear medicine X-ray. 
    * Cardiac catheterization: The procedure is conducted with a catheter, a small flexible tube, which is located into the femoral artery in your groin and joined to the coronary arteries. The procedure is conducted to check if any blockages in the arteries are available, it measures pressure and blood flow in the heart too.
    * Ultrasound: is used to see if there are blockages in blood vessels in the neck (carotid arteries) or other parts of your body. The procedure is held with high-frequency sound waves.