Knowledge Center
What is blood pressure?
In the most basic sense, blood pressure is a way of checking how much force is being exerted on the walls of your blood vessels (artery) as blood flows through them....
Systolic is the top number. It represents the pressure as your heart contracts to pump blood to the body. Diastolic is the bottom number. It represents the pressure between beats when your heart relaxes.
What is a normal blood pressure range?
Normal Blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mmHg Hg are considered within the normal range. Elevated blood pressure is when readings consistently range from 120-129 systolic... and more than 80 mmHg diastolic. People with elevated blood pressure are likely to develop high blood pressure unless steps are taken to control the condition.
Hypertension occurs when the systolic blood pressure is equal to/greater than 135 mmHg & the diastolic blood pressure is equal to/greater than 80 mmHg. If left uncontrolled, hypertension can cause heart attack, stroke, dementia, kidney failure, vision loss amongst the serious consequences.
Is it normal for my blood pressure to vary?
Yes, it is quite normal for people’s blood pressure to change throughout the day and night, or in different settings where you may measure your blood pressure. Many things, such as stress levels,... food or drink intake, activity levels, even time of day can all affect a person’s blood pressure reading at any given time. In fact, there are published studies that show a given person’s blood pressure can change by up to 20mm within a day, based on activity levels, food/drink intake, stress, etc. Therefore, it is important to monitor your blood pressure on a regular basis and review the overall trend of your blood pressure readings with your doctor.
What can I do to help better manage my blood pressure?
Your blood pressure can be managed with some small improvements to your lifestyle:
Exercise: Just be a little more active. Walk instead of drive; take the stairs instead of the elevator, etc....
Eat Smart: Try to find low-fat, low sodium substituted that also taste great. Potassium found in bananas and carrots is nature’s best medicine for your heart.
Kick the Habits: Minimize your caffeine and cigarette intake.
Settle Your Stress: Stress is a normal part of life. But too much can increase the risk of heart disease. Relax by doing things you enjoy (yoga, gardening, walking, etc.) and your heart can benefit.
Regularly Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home: Monitoring your blood pressure at home on a regular basis provides you and your doctor with the information to best manage your blood pressure.
These are just some examples. Discuss with your doctor on other ways how you can better your heart.
Why should I monitor my blood pressure at home?
Cardiologists recommend that anyone with, or at risk of high blood pressure, should monitor their blood pressure at home. Home blood pressure monitoring is one of the best methods of trending a person’s blood pressure in their own environment,... which is where we come in: Senior’s top rated blood pressure monitors enable you to check your BP quickly and easily wherever you are.