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| Knox County Community Health Coalition Penobscot Bay YMCA, Coalition Partner |
Hypertension
(High Blood Pressure)
(High Blood Pressure)
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the artery
walls. It is often written or stated as two numbers. The first
or top number represents the pressure when the heart
contracts. This is called systolic pressure. The second or
bottom number represents the pressure when the heart
rests between beats. This is called diastolic pressure.
Blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day.
When it consistently stays too high for too long, it is called
hypertension.
walls. It is often written or stated as two numbers. The first
or top number represents the pressure when the heart
contracts. This is called systolic pressure. The second or
bottom number represents the pressure when the heart
rests between beats. This is called diastolic pressure.
Blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day.
When it consistently stays too high for too long, it is called
hypertension.
- High blood pressure or hypertension for adults is
defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or
higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or
higher.
- Normal blood pressure is a systolic blood pressure of
less than 120 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure of
less than 80 mmHg.
- Prehypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure
of 120–139 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure of 80–
89 mmHg. Persons with prehypertension are at
increased risk to progress to hypertension.
There are several things that you can do to keep your blood
pressure healthy. These actions should become part of your
regular lifestyle. You should discuss with your health care provider
the best ways for you to address these issues:
pressure healthy. These actions should become part of your
regular lifestyle. You should discuss with your health care provider
the best ways for you to address these issues:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Be active
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Moderate Alcohol Use
- Prevent and Control Diabetes
- No Tobacco
| If you need more information or resources on hypertension, please speak with or e-mail Nancy Laite, Program Specialist for the Knox County Community Health Coalition, at 594-5440 or nllaite2@verizon.net. |
Links:
http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/prevention.htm
http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2112
http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/prevention.htm
http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2112
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| If you need more information or resources on high blood pressure, please speak with or e-mail Nancy Laite, Program Specialist for the Knox County Community Health Coalition, at 236-6313 or nllaite2@myfairpoint.net |
