Hypertension What is Blood Pressure? Lifestyles, fitness and rehabilitation What is Blood Pressure? Pressure created by the heart as it pumps blood through the arteries and the circulatory system What do Blood Pressure Numbers Mean? Top number (Systolic)= Pressure while heart is beating Bottom number (Diastolic)= Pressure while heart is resting between beats

Hypertension Normal Blood Pressure High Blood Pressure Lifestyles, Fitness and Rehabilitation Normal Blood Pressure Blood Pressure of < 140/ 90 Blood Pressure of 130 to 139/ 85 to 89 should be closely watched High Blood Pressure Blood Pressure > 140/ 90

Hypertension How can I tell if I have High Blood Pressure? Lifestyles, Fitness and Rehabilitation How can I tell if I have High Blood Pressure? Usually NO SYMPTOMS! “The Silent Killer” May have: Headache Blurry vision Chest Pain Frequent urination at night

Hypertension Blood Pressure Measurement Blood Pressure Cuff Size Lifestyles, Fitness and Rehabilitation Blood Pressure Measurement Sphygmomanometer Systolic pressure= pressure when 1st sound is heard “Diastolic pressure= pressure when last sound is heard Blood Pressure Cuff Size Small – children and small adults Average Large – overweight and large adults

American Heart Association Recommended Blood Pressure Levels Lifestyles, fitness And Rehabilitation BP Category Systolic (mmHg) Diastolic (mmHg) Follow-up Optimal < 120 and < 80 Recheck 2 years Normal < 130 < 85 Recheck 2 years High Normal 130-139 or 85-89 Recheck 1 year

American Heart Association Recommended Blood Pressure Levels Lifestyles, fitness And Rehabilitation BP Category Systolic (mmHg) Diastolic (mmHg) Follow-up Stage 1 (mild HTN) 140-159 or 90-99 Confirm within months Stage 2 (moderate HTN) 160-179 100-109 Evaluate within 1 month Stage 3 (severe HTN) 180 or > 110 or > Evaluate immediately

Hypertension How does High Blood Pressure develop? Lifestyles, Fitness and Rehabilitation How does High Blood Pressure develop? Certain nerve impulses cause arteries to become larger (dilate) or smaller (contract) If vessels wide open blood flows easily If vessel narrows pressure inside increases causing hypertension

Hypertension What does High Blood Pressure do to my Body? Stroke Lifestyles, Fitness and Rehabilitation What does High Blood Pressure do to my Body? Stroke Congestive heart failure Kidney failure Heart attack Heart rhythm problems Aneurysm High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart The heart must pump harder If high blood pressure continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function appropriately. The heart may at first thicken and then dialate and weaken causing heart failure Other body organs may also be affected

Hypertension Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Mercury sphygmomanometer Lifestyles, Fitness and Rehabilitation Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Mercury sphygmomanometer Standard for BP monitoring No calibration May be bulky Need a second person to use machine May be difficult for hearing impaired or patients with arthritis

Hypertension Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Aneroid equipment Lifestyles, Fitness and Rehabilitation Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Aneroid equipment Inexpensive, lightweight and portable Two person operation/need stethoscope Delicate mechanism, easily damaged Needs calibration with mercury sphygmomanometer