Understand your Blood Pressure
What is Blood Pressure?
It is the pressure that is exerted by blood flowing against the walls of the blood vessels throughout your body.
Your heart provides the force for the blood to flow or circulate. When your heart contracts or beats, your blood is forced through the blood vessels increasing the pressure.
Systolic Pressure
This is the highest pressure in the cycle which occurs when your heart contracts.
Diastolic Pressure
This is the lowest pressure in the cycle which occurs when the heart relaxes, in between the beats.
|
Your Blood Pressure
Date: ……………… /
Systolic Diastolic
An ideal blood pressure is 120 / 80
A raised blood pressure, hypertension, has been described as ‘the silent killer’.
Hypertension can increase your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke.
If your blood pressure is above 140 / 90 it is recommended that you ask for advice from your medical practice.
See web site: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp for further information
|
