UNDERSTANDING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

NEW RESEARCH STATES… So…high blood pressure is a condition that most people will have at some point in their lives. that at age 55 or older, those who do not have high blood pressure have a 90% chance of developing it during their lifetimes. 1 in 3 American adults have high blood pressure “Silent Killer” 65 million adults have high blood pressure in this country.

What Is Blood Pressure? Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the arteries. Blood is carried to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries.

Each time the heart beats (about times a minute at rest), it pumps out blood into the arteries. What Is Blood Pressure? Your blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats, pumping the blood. When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. Your blood pressure is always given as these two numbers with one above or before the other. This is called SYSTOLIC pressure. 120/ Top number 80 This is called DIASTOLIC pressure. Bottom number

Category Systolic (Top Number) Diastolic (Bottom Number) Normal Less than 120 Less than 80 What Is Normal Blood Pressure? “Normal” blood pressure is when both numbers are lower than 120/80.

“Prehypertension” This category was created to alert people to their risk of developing high blood pressure so they could make lifestyle changes that may help to avoid developing this condition. Which of the following blood pressure readings are considered “prehypertensive”? Prehypertension138/82128/89118/78 Top Number Bottom Number NEW!!!

If your blood pressure is in the prehypertensive range: It means that you don’t have high blood pressure now, but you are likely to develop it in the future. Unless you take ACTION to prevent it! “Prehypertension” Prehypertension

What Is High Blood Pressure? When blood pressure stays elevated over a long period of time it is called high blood pressure or “hypertension”. High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard and contributes to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).

What Is High Blood Pressure? A blood pressure of 140/90 is considered high blood pressure. High Blood Pressure SystolicDiastolic Stage Stage or higher 100 or higher “Hypertension”

High Blood Pressure Warning Signs: “Silent Killer”

Why Is High Blood Pressure Important? Increases your risk for : Heart disease & Stroke – the 1st and 3rd leading causes of death for Americans. If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can also cause: Heart failure Heart Attack Kidney disease Blindness

What can high blood pressure do to your body? Heart Attack High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack. The arteries bring oxygen- carrying blood to the heart muscle. If the heart cannot get enough oxygen, chest pain, can occur. If the flow of blood is blocked, a heart attack results. Blindness High blood pressure can eventually cause blood vessels in the eye to burst or bleed. Vision may become blurred or otherwise impaired and can result in blindness. Kidney disease Kidneys act as filters to rid the body of waste. High blood pressure can narrow and thicken the blood vessels of the kidneys. The kidneys filter less fluid and waste builds up in the blood. The kidneys may fail altogether. High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke. Very high pressure can cause a break in a weakened blood vessel, which then bleeds in the brain. This can cause a stroke. If a blood clot blocks one of the narrowed arteries, it can also cause a stroke. Stroke As people get older, arteries throughout the body "harden," especially those in the heart, brain, and kidneys. High blood pressure is associated with these "stiffer" arteries. This, in turn, causes the heart and kidneys to work harder. Arteries Heart failure The heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply the body's needs.

The Good News is… You can take action to prevent getting high blood pressure or take steps to control it! See your doctor for regular blood pressure check ups Maintaining a healthy weight Get physically active Eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits, and low fat dairy foods Choose and prepare foods with less salt If you drink alcoholic beverages, drink in moderation If you smoke, think about quitting

1. GET YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED. 2. EAT HEALTHY FOODS. 3. GET PLENTY OF EXERCISE. Our heart health depends on it! Understanding Your Blood Pressure