LifeSource UA-787 About Blood Pressure, Assessing High Blood Pressure, What Is Hypertension?

❤ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE

Assessing High Blood Pressure

The following standards for assessing high blood pressure (without regard to age) have been established by the National Institutes of Health JNCVI.

Category	Systolic (mmHg)		Diastolic (mmHg)
Optimal	<120		<80
Normal	<130		<85
High Normal	130	- 139	85 – 89
Hypertension
Stage 1	140	– 159	90 – 99
Stage 2	160	– 179	100 – 109
Stage 3	≥ 180		≥ 110

What Is Hypertension?

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the diagnosis given

when readings consistently rise above normal. It is well known that hypertension can lead to stroke, heart attack or other illness if left untreated. Referred to as a “silent killer” because it does

not always produce symptoms that alert you to the problem, hypertension is treatable when diagnosed early.

Can Hypertension Be Controlled?

In many individuals, hypertension can be controlled by altering lifestyle and minimizing stress, and by appropriate medication prescribed and monitored by your doctor. The American Heart Association recommends the following lifestyle suggestions to prevent or control hypertension:

Don’t smoke	Have regular physical checkups
Reduce salt and fat intake	Exercise routinely
Maintain proper weight	Monitor your blood
	pressure regularly

ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE ❤

Why Measure Blood Pressure at Home? It is now well known that, for many individuals, blood pressure readings taken in a doctor’s office or hospital setting might be elevated as a result of apprehension and anxiety. This response is commonly called “white coat hypertension.” One way to determine whether this is the case for you is to take your home monitor to the doctor’s office and, before the doctor or nurse takes your pressure, do it yourself on your home monitor and compare it to your home readings.

In any case, self-measurement at home supplements the doctor’s readings and provides a more accurate, complete blood pressure history. In addition, clinical studies have shown that the detection and treatment of hypertension is improved when patients both consult their physicians and monitor their own blood

pressure at home.

How Do I Record My Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure readings are typically recorded with the systolic pressure written first, followed by a slash mark and the diastolic pressure. For example, 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic measurements are written as 120/80. Pulse is simply written with the letter “P” followed by the pulse rate—P 72, for example. Please see Page E-14 for the blood pressure record.

E-12 ❤ LifeSource Health Line (Toll-Free): 1-888-726-9966 In Canada (Toll-Free): 1-800-463-5414 ❤ E-13