Facts About Blood Pressure

When it comes to your blood pressure, don’t miss a beat. Managing high blood pressure is vital. Learn how you can better your heart with simple changes to your lifestyle.

Take your heart to heart. It’s your most important organ. Still, one in three people suffer from high blood pressure, also known as hypertension12. Don’t be that one in three. Take the right steps to monitor and manage your heart to decrease your risk of heart disease and increase your life expectancy.

Knowing the numbers

When taking your blood pressure, it’s always good to know exactly where you stand. But first things first: What do the number actually mean?

  • Systolic Pressure is the top number. It represents the pressure as your heart contracts to pump blood to the body.
  • Diastolic Pressure is the bottom number. It represents the pressure between beats, when your heart relaxes.

Normal

≤ 134/ ≤ 84
Below this level
is considered normal 2

Hypertension

≥ 135/≥ 85
When reaching these
levels you are considered to
have hight blood preasure 2

Home is where the heart is

It’s surprising how often your numbers can change; that’s why home monitoring is important. Did you know that blood pressure in the morning can be significantly different than at night, or when you visit a doctor’s office? By using an accurate monitor at home, you’ll be able to detect and track the changes in your blood pressure. This way you can make the right lifestyle changes.

Small changes, huge rewards. Managing your high blood pressure doesn’t have to take a lot of work. In fact, small improvements to your lifestyle can significantly better your heart. Here’s what you can do:

  • Exercise: Just be a little more active. Walk instead of drive, take the stairs instead of the elevator and count your steps to a healthier heart.
  • Eat smart: Try to find low-fat, low-sodium substitutes that also taste great. Potassium found in bananas and carrots is nature’s best medicine for your heart.
  • Kicking the habits: Minimize your alcohol and cigarette intake. If you’re going to have a drink try red wine, which, in moderation, is better for your heart.
  • Stifle your stress: Stress is a normal part of life. But too much can increase the risk of heart disease. Relax by doing things you enjoy (yoga, gardening, walking, etc.) land your heart will benefit.

Live well to love your heart. Managing your blood pressure can be easy by following a healthy program you and your doctor have created. Make a pledge to start monitoring frequently and track your progress with the memory storage feature within your monitor or with this blood pressure monitoring log sheet.

  1. Hypertension. 2004; 44:398-404.
  2. Journal of Hypertension. 2013; 31:1281-1357.