BLOOD PRESSURE BASICS

1
BLOOD PRESSURE BASICS

• What is blood pressure?
• Force of blood pushing against arterial walls.
  Top number represents Systolic (heart contracts
  pumps blood out) bottom number Diastolic
  (heart at rest between beats).
• What are the symptoms?
• High Blood Pressure is called the silent killer
  as there are no symptoms.
• Normal Blood Pressure
• Considered to be below 120/80 mmHg (millimeters
  of mercury) 115/75 is goal standard.
• Risk of cardiovascular disease increases as blood
  pressure rises above 115/75.

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TIPS ON PREVENTING/CONTROLLING HIGH BLOOD
PRESSURE OR HYPERTENSION

• Maintain a healthy weight, lose weight if you are
  overweight.
• Be more physically active.
• Choose foods lower in salt and sodium.
• If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in
  moderation.
• Take prescribed medication as ordered .
• Another important measure for your health is to
  not smoke while cigarette smoking is not
  directly related to high blood pressure, it
  increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.