Why Get Your Blood Pressure Checked?
When the heart pumps blood into the arteries, the blood flows with a force pushing against the walls of the arteries. This force is called the blood pressure. When your blood pressure is measured, it is a measure of how hard the heart has to work to pump the blood.
When the arteries become hardened with cholesterol plaque and calcium the heart has to strain to pump blood through them. This makes the blood pressure go abnormally high.
Those whose blood pressure are consistently higher than this norm have high blood pressure or hypertension. The complications of uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.
Learn more:
- Know your blood pressure numbers
- Lifestyle changes to manage high blood pressure
- Heart check and risk calculators
Know Your Blood Pressure Numbers
Blood pressure levels for adults:
|
|
Systolic (higher number) |
Diastolic (lower number) |
|
Normal |
less than 120 |
less than 80 |
|
Prehypertension |
120-139 |
80-89 |
|
Hypertension |
140-159 |
90-99 |
Lifestyle Changes to Manage High Blood Pressure
- Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight makes the heart work harder. Your doctor or dietitian can tell you what weight is healthiest for you.
- Exercise. Regular exercise can lower blood pressure. It can also help you maintain a healthy weight and make you feel better.
- Limit the amount of salt and fats you eat. Salt makes you retain water and raises blood pressure in some people. Avoid salty foods like ham and potato chips, canned soups and vegetables, and processed meats. A diet low in fat can help you lose weight.
- Stop smoking. Smoking raises blood pressure and damages blood vessels.
- Manage your stress. Physical or emotional stress raises blood pressure and makes the heart work harder.
