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CONTROLLING YOUR
BLOOD PRESSURE
WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD
PRESSURE?
Blood pressure is the
force that pushes your blood to all parts of your body.
Blood pressure is shown
by two numbers. For example, your nurse or doctor may say your blood pressure
is "125 over 80." The higher number (125) is the pressure when the heart
beats. It is called the systolic pressure. The lower number (80) is the
pressure when the heart relaxes between beats. It is called the diastolic
pressure.
Normal blood pressure
Blood pressure is normal
when the higher number is below 130 and the lower number is below 85.
For example, 125 over 80 (125/80) is normal blood pressure.
High normal blood
pressure
Blood pressure between
130/85 and 139/89 is high normal and should be rechecked every year.
High blood pressure
Blood pressure of 140/90
or over is high.
There is only one
way to find out if you have high blood pressure have your blood
pressure checked by your doctor or nurse. One high blood pressure
reading does not always mean you have high blood pressure. It takes several
readings to know for sure. If your blood pressure becomes high and stays
high, your doctor will say you have "high blood pressure." The medical
word for high blood pressure is hypertension.
CONTROLLING YOUR
BLOOD PRESSURE
In most cases, we don't
know the cause of high blood pressure. As we age, we are more likely to
have high blood pressure, especially if others in our family have this
problem. However, how we live can also lead to high blood pressure. Eating
too much salt, drinking too much alcohol and being overweight can all
lead to blood pressure problems. Some medications, such as birth control
pills, have also been linked to high blood pressure.
Some people only need
to change their eating and drinking habits or become more physically active
to bring their blood pressure back to normal. Others also need medication.
Whatever is causing your high blood pressure, remember that you can control
it by working with your doctor and by making some changes in how you live.
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