Understanding blood pressure

Do you understand what your blood pressure means and how it might be affecting your health?

Blood pressure is the physical force of blood as it pushes against the walls of the arteries in the heart. The systolic blood pressure (top number) is the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts, while the diastolic pressure (bottom number) is the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes. 

Normal blood pressure for an adult is 120/80. For some people, the systolic blood pressure may rise with age due to long term buildup of plaque, stiffness of large arteries, and increased cardiac and vascular disease. 

High blood pressure or Hypertension is categorized in 2 stages:

Hypertension stage 1 is when your systolic blood pressure (top number) is between 130-139 and your diastolic (bottom number) is between 80-89.

Hypertension stage 2 is when your blood pressure is higher than 140-90.

A hypertensive crisis occurs when your systolic blood pressure is above 180 or diastolic blood pressure is above 120.

When your blood pressure is elevated your heart has to work harder to pump the blood through your body. Sometimes this can cause damage to your artery walls, as well as increase your risk of kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease.

Symptoms of high blood pressure can include: fatigue, chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe headaches, irregular heartbeat, vision problems, pounding in the chest, neck or ears.

Ways to decrease blood pressure: exercise regularly, lose weight if you are carrying extra pounds, quit smoking, decrease alcohol consumption, eat more protein, eat more vegetables, fibre and fruit.

Get regular check ups and physical assessments by a nurse or physician to ensure your health is where it should be.

Jenilee

Don’t hesitate to call Jenilee at 1-306-831-7418 to book your appointment for you or your loved one.

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