The arm with the higher readings should then be targeted for all future blood pressure checks. If your blood pressure readings are high, your doctor may ask that you return for additional measurements on different days because blood pressure can vary widely from day to day.
You can lower your blood pressure by changing some aspects of your lifestyle and, if necessary, taking medication prescribed by a properly trained health care professional. Changing what you eat, how much you exercise and other ways you live your life can help you prevent or control high blood pressure. Eat healthy food. Make sure your diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods.
Get plenty of potassium, which can help prevent and control high blood pressure an pay attention to the amount of salt that's in the processed foods you eat, such as canned soups or frozen dinners. Achieve and Maintain a Healthy Weight. For every kilogram of weight loss, you can reduce your blood pressure by 1. Increase Physical Activity. Regular physical activity can help lower your blood pressure and keep your weight under control. Aiming for 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity four to seven days a week can decrease total blood pressure by 4.
Limit Your Alcohol Intake. Even if you're healthy, alcohol can raise your blood pressure. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation — one to two drinks per day for a weekly maximum of nine for women and 14 for men.
Limiting your alcohol could decrease your systolic blood pressure by mm Hg. Be Smoke-Free. Smoking leads to injured blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. If you smoke and want to quit, visit our section about Smoking. Manage Stress. Set aside some time every day to relax. Practice healthy coping techniques, such as muscle relaxation and deep breathing.
Getting plenty of sleep can help, too. Monitor Your Blood Pressure. Have your blood pressure checked regularly. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so have yours checked by a health care professional at least once every two years or as often as your doctor suggests. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance.
Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Blood pressure BP measures the force pressed against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your body. Average blood pressure differs by sex and tends to rise with age.
It's important to know how blood pressure affects your health. This article will cover how healthcare providers differentiate between "normal" blood pressure and hypertension high blood pressure. It will also discuss the health risks involved with hypertension, how you can monitor your blood pressure, and when you should call your healthcare provider.
The top number systolic pressure measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The bottom number diastolic pressure measures the pressure in your arteries between each heart beat. The standard unit of measure, mm Hg, stands for "millimeters of mercury. Normal BP ranges vary in children by age. What is considered healthy for your child also varies by height, age, and sex. On the other hand, hypertension is defined as having a systolic pressure of mm Hg or higher, or a diastolic pressure of 80 mm Hg or higher, most of the time.
As you get older, your blood vessels tend to become stiffer and plaque a fatty material can build up in them, which can raise your blood pressure. If your blood pressure becomes too high, you're at a greater risk for heart disease, strokes, and more. When researchers for the National Center for Health Statistics looked at average blood pressure in U. It rose by age and was significantly higher in Black people. The researchers found the following breakdown by age, sex, and race or ethnicity:.
As the population ages and life expectancy increases, high blood pressure is becoming more common. The program educated more people about high blood pressure. As more people became aware of their high blood pressure and took medicine for it, the rate of high blood pressure declined.
Normal blood pressure for an adult is over 80, but it is lower for children and adolescents. In , almost half of all adults in the U. More men than women, and more Black and Latinx than White people have high blood pressure. There are several risk factors for hypertension, including:. High blood pressure for adults is divided into stages.
At each stage, there is a greater risk to your health. A consistent rise in your blood pressure over time comes with an increased risk to your health. Your healthcare provider is likely to respond in these ways:.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Call if you are also experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, back pain, shortness of breath, difficulty speaking, a change in vision, weakness, or numbness.
There are several different stages of high blood pressure. As blood pressure rises, the negative impact on your health increases, too. A healthcare provider can recommend treatment for each stage, starting with diet and lifestyle changes and leading to medication options. Blood pressure testing stations can be found in pharmacies, workplaces, and medical clinics. You can also buy a blood pressure monitor online or at your local pharmacy.
To measure blood pressure, a cuff attached to a monitor is placed on your arm. The cuff is then inflated with an air pump until its pressure stops blood flow from your brachial artery—the major artery found in your upper arm. As the cuff deflates, the device measures the pressure when blood starts flowing again systolic pressure. Once the cuff is completely deflated, the device gauges the lowest pressure between beats diastolic pressure.
Typically, more attention is given to the systolic pressure reading, as systolic blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in people over the age of Still, both readings are used to make a diagnosis.
If you're taking your blood pressure at home, there are certain steps you can take to get the most accurate reading possible. If the bottom number diastolic pressure is consistently higher than 90mmHg but the top number is healthy - this is known as Isolated Diastolic Hypertension. Find out why systolic blood pressure is the most important when it comes to keeping an eye on your numbers.
Click to print page. Your Blood Pressure Understanding your blood pressure What is high blood pressure? What do the numbers mean Why is high blood pressure a problem? Causes Other related health problems Blood pressure around the world What is low blood pressure? Getting diagnosed Who should have a blood pressure check Getting a blood pressure check Monitoring your blood pressure at home. How to lower your blood pressure Medications for high blood pressure Healthy eating Healthy living.
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