Blood pressure is the pressure of blood pressing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood throughout your body. It is measured and described by two numbers (for example, 130/90 mmHg).

Pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury, short for "millimeters of Hg.

** Systolic pressure is the upper number and represents the pressure of the heart contracting and pushing blood through the arteries.

** Diastolic pressure is the lowest number and represents the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart relaxes and fills with blood).

Blood pressure measurements are usually referred to as systolic pressure "above" diastolic pressure. For example, 120/80 mmHg is referred to as "120 over 80."


How do I know if I have high blood pressure (hypertension)?

 High blood pressure does not cause symptoms. Thus, you will not know if you have high blood pressure unless it is measured by a health care provider.

Some people may have headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath, but these symptoms usually only occur when their blood pressure is dangerously high.

Untreated high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and chronic kidney disease.




How is your blood pressure measured?

Your doctor can measure your blood pressure with a device called a sphygmomanometer. An inflatable wristband is wrapped around your forearm and connected to a device that measures your blood pressure.

When the cuff is inflated until it feels taut, the pressure temporarily stops blood flow to your arm. When the cuff is slowly deflated, blood flow is restored. Two measurements are taken to obtain systolic and diastolic pressure readings at different points.

Blood pressure can also be measured with 24-hour ambulatory monitoring. You wear the bracelet and device for 24 hours, and your blood pressure is recorded throughout the day and night. This is useful for people with what's called "white coat hypertension," where your blood pressure rises during a doctor's surgery but is lower when measured in other situations. This type of monitoring can also show what happens to a person's blood pressure when they sleep.


Home blood pressure monitor

Your doctor may recommend that you take measurements yourself at home. This can help them understand how your blood pressure changes throughout the day or how it responds to treatment.


What is considered an obvious increase in blood pressure?

Blood pressure naturally changes throughout the day. It depends on many factors, including whether you are sitting, standing, exercising, or sleeping, and the amount of fluid in your body.

High blood pressure occurs when a person's blood pressure is consistently higher than it should be: usually 140/90 mm Hg or higher. Your doctor will need to take several measurements at different times before he or she can diagnose high blood pressure.

The decision to treat high blood pressure does not just depend on your measurements; it also depends on your other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.


How often should my blood pressure be checked?

It is recommended that your doctor check adults' blood pressure at least once every two years. Some people may be advised to have more frequent checkups - for example, people who have had diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Diabetics should have their blood pressure checked at least every 6 months if it is normal, and every 3 months if it is high.

In some countries, it is generally recommended that citizens 45 years of age and older have a regular 20-minute heart check along with medical advice. This checks your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, and your doctor can estimate your risk of a heart attack or stroke in the next five years.


What are the risks associated with high blood pressure?

High blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure also puts you at risk for complications such as nerve damage and eye damage.


How can I lower my blood pressure?



High blood pressure can be treated with lifestyle changes and medications. Everyone with high blood pressure, whether or not they take medication, should follow lifestyle recommendations. Some people will find that lifestyle improvement means they do not need blood pressure medications or can take lower doses.

These are lifestyle recommendations for lowering blood pressure, and if you are elderly or have a chronic disease (such as arthritis), your doctor will tell you which lifestyle changes are right for you:


Get regular physical activity

Regular aerobic exercise lowers blood pressure, and even relatively small increases in physical activity have been shown to lower blood pressure.

People ages 18 to 64 should engage in a total of 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate-intensity activity or 1.25 to 2.5 hours of vigorous activity each week. You can achieve this in shorter periods of activity. Moderate-intensity activities include brisk walking, golf, swimming, and lawn mowing. Active activities include jogging, aerobics, soccer, netball, or fast biking.

People ages 18 to 64 should do muscle-strengthening (or resistance) exercises at least two days a week, such as squats, lunges, pull-ups, push-ups, lifting weights, carrying objects, or exercising. When doing weight-bearing exercises, it is important to breathe normally and not hold your breath, as this increases blood pressure.

People 65 and older should aim for some physical activity each week - preferably 30 minutes of moderate-intensity on most days. Any activity is better than none, and you can gradually reach your overall goal.

If you experience any chest pain, palpitations, or sudden shortness of breath during exercise, stop exercising and see a doctor.


Maintain a healthy weight

If you are overweight, even a small amount of weight loss can lower your blood pressure. For example, losing 5 pounds has been shown to lower your systolic blood pressure by about 7 mmHg.


Keep your body mass index (BMI) in a healthy weight range

Your waist circumference should usually be less than 94 cm for men and less than 80 cm for women.


Stick to a healthy diet

Eating a healthy diet using a variety of nutritious foods according to your country's dietary guidelines will help keep your blood pressure under control, as well as your cholesterol levels and weight.


Eat 5 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit each day

Limit your fat intake to 20-35% of your total energy intake. Consume healthy unsaturated fats instead of saturated fats.

Limit your salt intake to less than 4 grams per day (equivalent to 1600 milligrams of sodium per day) if you have high blood pressure. That's less than a teaspoon of salt. Salt contains sodium, which has been linked to high blood pressure.


Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption

Quitting smoking has been proven to reduce blood pressure and the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. The benefits of quitting smoking are immediately apparent.

Drinking more than one standard alcoholic beverage a day for women and two for men increases the risk of developing high blood pressure.



What medications are prescribed for high blood pressure?



Some people will find that lifestyle changes alone will not be enough to control their blood pressure, so they will need to take medications. Often two types of medications are needed that work differently; sometimes more than 2 are needed.

Blood pressure medications (known as antihypertensives) are usually taken every day. Many people will have to take them for the rest of their lives. The most common blood pressure medications are ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-adrenoblockers, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers.

Your doctor will choose the most appropriate medicine for you based on your blood pressure measurements, your risk of cardiovascular disease, any other medical conditions you have, or any medications you are taking. Your doctor may set your target blood pressure.

Your doctor will probably prescribe a low dose of one medicine and check your progress after a few weeks. If you experience any side effects, tell your doctor right away.

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