Blood pressure tells you how much force your blood is pushing against your blood vessels. You can measure your blood pressure at the doctor’s office, during a biometric screening, or at home using a blood pressure monitor. There are also public-use blood pressure monitors at some pharmacies.
Where do the blood pressure numbers come from?
The beating of your heart creates pressure that moves your blood throughout your body. Your blood pressure measured with two numbers: Systolic blood pressure (the top number) is the force created when your heart pumps out blood. Diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) is the amount of pressure when your heart is at rest.
What is healthy blood pressure?
Healthy blood pressure is when your systolic pressure is less than 120 mmHg, and your diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mmHg (or less than 120/80).
Elevated blood pressure, when your systolic pressure is 130 mmHg or higher and/or your diastolic pressure is 85 mmHg or higher, is a metabolic risk factor.
When either of these blood pressure numbers are too high, it is called hypertension. Too much pressure means your heart and blood vessels have to work much harder to circulate blood throughout your body. Over time, this begins to damage your arteries. It creates a cycle, damaged arteries raise your blood pressure, and increased blood pressure causes further damage.
What can I do to prevent high blood pressure?
Your doctor can help you personalize a plan to prevent high blood pressure. Working with a coach can help you stick to that plan and build new habits.
Use the Healthy Plate Model to balance meals.
Limit salt and alcohol intake.
Do something active on most or all days of the week.
Keep stress levels in check.
If you use tobacco, make a plan to quit.
Take a moment to reflect.
What can you do this week to manage your blood pressure?
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