Blood pressure

There are two types of blood pressure: Systolic blood pressure (the top number) measures the force of the blood against your artery walls when it’s at its greatest. Diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) measures the pressure of the blood when the heart relaxes and the force of the blood is at its lowest. Example: 120 (normal systolic BP, mmHg) / 70 (normal diastolic BP, mmHg) Having an overly high blood pressure can be harmful. High blood pressure can cause strokes, heart attacks, and heart and kidney failure. It can also be related to dementia and sexual problems. These issues can be prevented if high blood pressure is controlled.

Hypertension A blood pressure that goes up and stays up above 140 mm Hg (systolic) over 90 mm Hg (diastolic) is considered high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Who is at Risk? Know the Risk Factors Many of the factors that could put you at risk for high blood pressure are related to lifestyle. These include: An unhealthy diet Drinking too much alcohol Lack of exercise Obesity Stress Sleep apnea Kidney disease Smoking Some of the other risk factors aren’t possible to control. If one or more of these describes you, it’s even more important to be aware of the risks of high blood pressure and take steps to prevent it. Being over 65 A family history of high blood pressure Being of African, South Asian orAboriginal descent What Should You Watch Out For? Watch for These Things Most people with high blood pressure don’t have any symptoms. However, some people with high BP who do may experience signs like headaches, vision problems, dizziness, or shortness of breath. When a doctor checks your blood pressure and the reading is high, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. It’s only possible to be sure you have high blood pressure after the blood pressure is measured several times in a relaxed setting by a health professional. Be sure to visit your local drug store to keep an eye on your blood pressure. Use their in-store blood pressure machines to measure your blood pressure and speak with your pharmacist about your results. What Can You Do? Talk to a Doctor Make sure to have your blood pressure measured at least once every two years, or more often if your doctor recommends it. Many pharmacies have blood pressure machines you can use on your own at no charge – try it out! It’s All About Lifestyle Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential to keeping your blood pressure under control. Eat a balanced diet from all four food groups.Eat more fruits and vegetables and less sugar and salt. Maintain a healthy body weight. If you are overweight, losing even a modest amount of weight can help reduce your blood pressure. Limit your alcohol intake to 1 to 2 drinksper day. Stress management. Learn how to deal with stress in a healthy way can help reduce your blood pressure. Get Treatment The doctor needs to assess why you have high BP, and may need to treat an underlying disorders. Fortunately, there are a number of medications are available to control blood pressure. Your doctor may also recommend a home blood pressure monitoring system.