1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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 or
85-89
Recheck 1 year

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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