One in three U.S adults have high blood pressure. Because there are no symptoms, nearly one third of these people do NOT know they have it! American Heart Association
The pressure of blood against the walls of the arteries.
A sphygmomanometer
Systolic Pressure ◦ The force in the arteries when the heart beats Diastolic Pressure ◦ The force in the arteries when the heart is at rest
Don’t have coffee, alcohol or cigarettes for 30 minutes before going in to have your blood pressure taken. Sit for five minutes with back supported and feet flat Wear a shirt with short sleeves so that the sphygmomanometer touches your skin Don’t talk while taking the reading Get two readings and then figure the average of them
The condition in which blood pressure levels are above the normal range.
is the number one risk factor for stroke contributes to ◦ heart attacks ◦ heart failure ◦ kidney failure ◦ atherosclerosis is more common among people over 35
Controllable Risk Factors ◦ Stress ◦ Obesity ◦ Too much salt intake ◦ Drinking too much alcohol ◦ Smoking Uncontrollable Risk Factors ◦ Race ◦ Heredity ◦ Age
Adults 55 + have a 90% risk of developing high blood pressure. Hypertension affects 67% of diabetics. In 90-95% of high blood pressure cases, the cause is unknown. Hypertension nationally accounts for $66.4 billion in healthcare costs.
Monitor your blood pressure Limit alcohol Quit smoking Take medication, if prescribed
Eat a healthy diet Maintain a healthy weight Be active 30 minutes per day
Use fresh poultry, lean meat, and fish Use herbs, spices, and salt-free seasonings Buy fresh, frozen, or canned “no salt added” vegetables Rinse canned foods to reduce sodium Choose convenience food low in salt
Diuretics Beta blockers ACE inhibitors Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers Calcium Channel Blockers Alpha blocker Alpha-beta blockers Nervous system inhibitors Vasodilators
American Heart Association National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Mayo Clinic Resources for Good Health