Blood Pressure Testing
Why is blood pressure so important?
High blood pressure is widely known as a “silent killer”, because it has no symptoms and thus an individual
might not be aware it is damaging their arteries, heart and other organs. Untreated high blood pressure
can cause the following consequences:
• Damage to the heart, resulting in a heart attack, congestive heart failure, heart disease, aortic
dissection and artherosclerosis (fatty buildup in the arteries which hardens over time)
• Stroke
• Kidney damage
• Vision loss
• Erectile dysfunction
• Memory loss
• Fluid in the lungs
• Angina
Keep in mind that the above are consequences of having high blood pressure and NOT symptoms.
What do the measurement numbers mean?
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers. The first number is the systolic measurement, or, the
measurement of pressure while the heart contracts to pump blood to the body. The second number is the
diastolic measurement, or, the measurement of pressure while the heart relaxes between beats.
Optimal adult blood pressure: 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury)
Why is blood pressure so important?
High blood pressure is widely known as a “silent killer”, because it has no symptoms and thus an individual
might not be aware it is damaging their arteries, heart and other organs. Untreated high blood pressure
can cause the following consequences:
• Damage to the heart, resulting in a heart attack, congestive heart failure, heart disease, aortic
dissection and artherosclerosis (fatty buildup in the arteries which hardens over time)
• Stroke
• Kidney damage
• Vision loss
• Erectile dysfunction
• Memory loss
• Fluid in the lungs
• Angina
Keep in mind that the above are consequences of having high blood pressure and NOT symptoms.
What do the measurement numbers mean?
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers. The first number is the systolic measurement, or, the
measurement of pressure while the heart contracts to pump blood to the body. The second number is the
diastolic measurement, or, the measurement of pressure while the heart relaxes between beats.
Optimal adult blood pressure: 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury)
Level of Severity Systolic Blood Pressure Diastolic Blood Pressure
Mild Hypertension 140 - 160 mmHg 90 - 100 mmHg
Moderate Hypertension 160 - 200 mmHg 100 - 120 mmHg
Severe Hypertention Above 200 mmHg Above 120 mmHg
If you have high blood pressure, it IS manageable! Adopt a heart healthy lifestyle by exercising daily and
eating a nutritional and balanced diet; quit smoking if you already do and if not, don't start; and, manage
stress and reduce alcohol consumption to one drink or less daily. If these changes alone are not enough to
lower your blood pressure or you are in the moderate to severe hypertension categories, see your doctor
for thebest advice to reduce your blood pressure, which might include a blood pressure-reducing medication.
eating a nutritional and balanced diet; quit smoking if you already do and if not, don't start; and, manage
stress and reduce alcohol consumption to one drink or less daily. If these changes alone are not enough to
lower your blood pressure or you are in the moderate to severe hypertension categories, see your doctor
for thebest advice to reduce your blood pressure, which might include a blood pressure-reducing medication.
Increasing age - As we age, risk
for higher blood pressure and
cardiovascular disease goes up
Gender - A higher percentage of
men have high blood pressure
than women
Family History
Lack of Physical Activity
Poor Diet (especially one that
includes a lot of salt)
Obesity and Being Overweight
Consuming Too Much Alcohol
High Stress Levels
Smoking and Second-hand
Smoke
Having Diabetes
for higher blood pressure and
cardiovascular disease goes up
Gender - A higher percentage of
men have high blood pressure
than women
Family History
Lack of Physical Activity
Poor Diet (especially one that
includes a lot of salt)
Obesity and Being Overweight
Consuming Too Much Alcohol
High Stress Levels
Smoking and Second-hand
Smoke
Having Diabetes
| Risk factors for High Blood Pressure |
Care Dynamix Inc
235 Hembree Park Drive, Suite 300, Roswell, Georgia 30076
Toll-free: 1(866) 358-2878
235 Hembree Park Drive, Suite 300, Roswell, Georgia 30076
Toll-free: 1(866) 358-2878
40% of cancers,
80% of
are avoidable
heart disease
and type 2 diabetes
| Copyright 2010 Care Dynamix Inc All rights reserved |
