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...diagnosis of hypertension requires that elevated readings be present on at least three occasions during several weeks” (Lewis, Heitkemper & Dirksen, 2000, p.819). “Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because it is frequently asymptomatic until it becomes severe and target organ disease occur” (Lewis, Heitkemper & Dirksen, 2000, p. 822). Although the heart is working harder than normal, putting both the heart and vessels under strain, it does not cause any overt symptoms that would motivate a person to seek treatment or to comply with treatment once prescribed. Complications from high-normal blood pressure and hypertension are major public health concerns. Billions of dollars are spent in the United States each year in health care related costs and loss of productivity and life years. In 1999, there were 32 million office visits for hypertension (CDC-NCHS, 2002). Of greatest concern is the fact that hiit is frequentlyBlood pressure is the force or pressure exerted by the heart on the walls of the blood vessels as it pumps blood throughout the body. Generally speaking, optimal blood pressure for adults is <120mm Hg systolic and <80mm Hg diastolic. High-normal is 130-139mm Hg systolic and 85- 89mm Hg diastolic and Hypertension is 140mm Hg systolic and 90mm Hg diastolic or higher (ACSM, 2000). “The diagnosis of hypertension requires that elevated readings be present on at least three occasions during several weeks” (Lewis, Heitkemper & Dirksen, 2000, p.819). “Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because it is frequently asymptomatic until it becomes severe and target organ disease occur” (Lewis, Heitkemper & Dirksen, 2000, p. 822). Although the heart is working harder than normal, putting both the heart and vessels under strain, it does not cause any overt symptoms that would motivate a person to seek treatment or to comply with treatment once prescribed. Complications from high-normal blood...