UNDERSTANDING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

Created by Mary Ann Gallo 2004

Calvert County Health Department Cardiovascular Health and Nutrition 410-535-5400/301-855-1353 Fax: 410-535-1955
Source: Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure, www.nhlbi.nih.govc

Sohigh blood pressure is a condition that most people will havehigh at some point in their lives. 65 million adults have blood pressure in this country.

1 in 3 American adults have high blood pressure

Silent Killer

NEW RESEARCH STATES that at age 55 or older, those who do not have high blood pressure have a 90% chance of developing it during their lifetimes.

Source: Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure, www.nhlbi.nih.govc

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood is carried to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries.

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the arteries.

What Is Blood Pressure?

Each time the heart beats (about 60-70 times a minute at rest), it pumps out blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats, pumping the blood.

This is called SYSTOLIC pressure.

120/ 80

When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls.
Bottom number

This is called DIASTOLIC pressure. Your blood pressure is always given as these two numbers with one above or before the other.

http://www.hsfpe.org/

Source: Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure, www.nhlbi.nih.govc

What Is Normal Blood Pressure?

Category Normal

Systolic (Top Number)

Less than 120

Diastolic (Bottom Number)

Less than 80

Normal blood pressure is when both numbers are lower than 120/80.

Source: Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure, www.nhlbi.nih.govc

Prehypertension
Top Number
Prehypertension 120-139

Bottom Number
80-89

Which of the following blood pressure readings are considered prehypertensive?

138/82

118/78

128/89

This category was created to alert people to their risk of developing high blood pressure so they could make lifestyle changes that may help to avoid developing this condition.

Source: Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure, www.nhlbi.nih.govc

Prehypertension
If your blood pressure is in the prehypertensive range:
Prehypertension 120-139 80-89

It means that you dont have high blood pressure now, but you are likely to develop it in the future. Unless you take ACTION to prevent it!

Source: Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure, www.nhlbi.nih.govc

What Is High Blood Pressure?

When blood pressure stays elevated over a long period of time it is called high blood pressure or hypertension.

http://diseases-explained.com/

High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard and contributes to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).

Source: Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure, www.nhlbi.nih.govc

What Is High Blood Pressure?

Hypertension
A blood pressure of
High Blood Pressure
Stage 1

140/90 is considered high blood pressure.

Systolic
140-159

Diastolic
90-99

Stage 2

160 or higher

100 or higher

Source: Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure, www.nhlbi.nih.govc

High Blood Pressure

Warning Signs:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Source: Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure, www.nhlbi.nih.govc

Why Is High Blood Pressure Important?

Increases your risk for :

Heart disease & Stroke

the 1st and 3rd leading causes of death for Americans.

If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can also cause:

Heart failure
Heart Attack Kidney disease Blindness

Source: Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure, www.nhlbi.nih.govc

What can high blood pressure do to your body?

Heart Attack
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack. The arteries bring oxygencarrying blood to the heart muscle. If the heart cannot get enough oxygen, chest pain, can occur. If the flow of blood is blocked, a heart attack results.

Stroke
High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke. Very high pressure can cause a break in a weakened blood vessel, which then bleeds in the brain. This can cause a stroke. If a blood clot blocks one of the narrowed arteries, it can also cause a stroke.

Blindness
High blood pressure can eventually cause blood vessels in the eye to burst or bleed. Vision may become blurred or otherwise impaired and can result in blindness.

Heart failure
The heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply the body's needs.

Kidney disease
As people get older, arteries throughout the body "harden," especially those in the heart, brain, and kidneys. High blood pressure is associated with these "stiffer" arteries. This, in turn, causes the heart and kidneys to work harder.

Arteries

Kidneys act as filters to rid the body of waste. High blood pressure can narrow and thicken the blood vessels of the kidneys. The kidneys filter less fluid and waste builds up in the blood. The kidneys may fail altogether.
Source: Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure, www.nhlbi.nih.govc

The Good News is

You can take action to prevent getting high blood pressure or take steps to control it!
See your doctor for regular blood pressure check ups
If you drink alcoholic beverages, Maintaining a healthy weightdrink in moderation Eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits, and low Choose prepare foods with less salt fatand dairy foodsactive Get physically If you smoke, think about quitting

Source: Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure, www.nhlbi.nih.govc

Understanding Your Blood Pressure

1. GET YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED.

2. EAT HEALTHY FOODS.

3. GET PLENTY OF EXERCISE.

Our heart health depends on it!

Source: Your Guide To Lowering Blood Pressure, www.nhlbi.nih.govc