Do You Have High Blood PressureDo you have high blood pressure? Do you know whether you have high blood pressure? What is high blood pressure and how does it effect you? If you don't know, take a look at some of this information on high blood pressure.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs in 1 of 3 Americans. It is the number one risk factor for stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure.
Blood pressure allows blood to flow through your body, giving vital organs oxygen and nutrition. Blood pressure is measured in two numbers:
Systolic Pressure:
Systolic pressure occurs when your heart beats or contracts
Diastolic Pressure:
Diastolic pressure occurs when your heart is at rest and is refilling with blood.
Blood pressure readings show the systolic reading over the diastolic reading such as:
120/80 a normal reading or 140/90 the starting edge of readings diagnosing hypertension.
Some things you can do to prevent or control your risk of developing high blood pressure are:
1. Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
2. Maintain a healthy weight.
3. Get plenty of exercise.
4. Don't smoke, and limit your intake of alcohol.
5. Avoid high-sodium diets
6. If taking medication check to make sure they don't increase your blood pressure (a common side effect in some medicines), ask your physician about the possibility and if you should monitor the particular medicines effects.
7. Try to stay in a manageable realm of stress. The more stress free the better you can manage your blood pressure.
For more information on heart health, Check out the American Heart Association website at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000
