Knowing Your Blood Pressure Numbers and What They Mean

"Blood pressure" is a health term that gets thrown around a lot, but do you know what blood pressure really measures? Everyone has blood pressure; it is the force in the arteries when the heart beats (this is called systolic pressure and is the top number) and when the heart is at rest (this is called diastolic pressure and is the bottom number).

Why is knowing your blood pressure numbers important? High blood pressure directly increases your risk of stroke, kidney failure, heart failure and heart attack. The American Heart Association recommended blood pressure levels for adults as follows:

Blood Pressure Category	Systolic (mmHg)		Diastolic (mmHg)
Normal	less than 120	and	less than 80
Pre-hypertension	120-139	or	80-89
Stage 1 hypertension	140-159	or	90-99
Stage 2 hypertension	160 or higher	or	100 or higher

Do you know where you fall in this chart? You can get your blood pressure checked for free at The Little Clinic to find out. If you learn you have high blood pressure you'll need to talk with your healthcare provider about your options. Generally, there are several recommended changes you can make to reduce your blood pressure numbers. These may include:

·      Eating less salt, eating more fruits and vegetables, losing weight and getting regular physical activity

·      Quitting smoking, which can also reduce your overall risk for heart attack and stroke

·      Reducing how much alcohol you drink

·      Your healthcare provider may also decide you need blood pressure reducing medication in addition to dietary and lifestyle changes

Once you know your blood pressure, it's important to keep track of these numbers over time. This way you can recognize any changes, both good and bad, and report those to your healthcare provider.