WHAT IS BLOOD PRESSURE?Blood pressure results from two forces. One is created by the heart as it pumps blood into the arteries and through the circulatory system. The other is the force of the arteries as they resist the blood flow.
HOW CAN I TELL IF I HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. In fact, many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. That's why it's called the "silent killer."
Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. It doesn't refer to being tense, nervous or hyperactive. You can be a calm, relaxed person and still have high blood pressure.
A single elevated blood pressure reading doesn't mean you have high blood pressure, but it's a sign that further observation is required. Ask your doctor how often you should check it or have it checked. Certain diseases, such as kidney disease, can cause high blood pressure. In 90 to 95 percent of cases, the cause of high blood pressure is unknown.
The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked.
If you know you have high blood pressure, you may want to monitor it yourself. This can be done easily with a Blood Pressure Monitor.
HOW IS BLOOD PRESSURE MEASURED?Blood pressure is measured with an instrument called a sphygmomanometer. A cuff is wrapped around one arm and inflated to cut off circulation temporarily. As air is slowly released, a stethoscope is placed over the artery at the bend in the arm.
WHAT DO BLOOD PRESSURE NUMBERS INDICATE?The top number of a blood pressure reading is called systolic pressure and represents the pressure while the heart is beating.
The bottom number, called diastolic pressure, represents the pressure when the heart is resting between beats.
The systolic pressure is always stated first and the diastolic pressure second. For example: 122/76 (122 over 76); systolic = 122, diastolic = 76. Early warning signs of hypertension can be diagnosed by a systolic reading of 120 and above and/or a diastolic reading of 90 and above.
Blood pressure of less than 140 over 90 is considered a normal reading for adults. A systolic pressure of 130 to 139 or a diastolic pressure of 85 to 89 needs to be watched carefully. A blood pressure reading equal to or greater than 140 over 90 is considered elevated or high.
HOW TO TAKE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE.Nearly 50 MILLION Americans have high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association, and nearly one-third of them don't know it!
TO GET THE BEST READING JUST FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS:#1 Rest for 5 minutes before taking your blood pressure.
#2 Do not smoke, eat, or exercise for half an hour before taking.
#3 Remove tight fitting clothing from your arm.
#4 Sit in a quiet place while using your monitor.
#5 Take readings at the same time every day.
WHAT ABOUT LOW BLOOD PRESSURE?Within certain limits, the lower your blood pressure reading is, the better. In most people, blood pressure isn't too low until it produces symptoms, such as lightheadedness or fainting. In certain disease states, it's possible for blood pressure to be too low. Examples include: Certain nerve disorders or endocrine disorders;
Prolonged bed rest; Decreases in blood volume due to severe bleeding(hemorrhage)or dehydration; Optimal blood pressure with respect to cardiovascular risk is less than 120/80 mm Hg. Unusually low readings should be evaluated to rule out medical causes.
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