Know Your Numbers!

tim_fitbuilt4life

If you're reading this, your doctor has probably told you that your blood pressure is too high. Maybe she put you on a medication to help reduce it, or simply told you to reduce the stress in your life. No matter what you are doing to manage your blood pressure, it's important to know where you stand and what levels of blood pressure are considered optimal.

Both of your numbers (systolic and diastolic) do matter. For optimal health, you want both numbers to be within a certain range. If one number is high and the other is considered healthy, you still have high blood pressure and its associated risks. Remember that systolic blood pressure is the top number and diastolic blood pressure is the bottom number in your ratio (i.e. 120/80).The following chart will help you recognize the differences between optimal and high (hypertensive) blood pressure.


Blood Pressure Categories for Adults (measured in mm Hg)


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

Only a medical professional can truly assess your risk and provide proper diagnosis and medical advice. To lower your blood pressure, talk to your doctor first. Together you can start a treatment plan that will probably include lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes and exercise, stress reduction and possible medications.

No matter where you lie on the chart above, you may find it comforting to know that even small reductions in blood pressure can have a big impact on your health. Lowering your blood pressure by just 12 to 13 points can lower your risk of heart attack by 20 percent; stroke by 37 percent and cardiovascular death by 25 percent.

louiseei

That's really helpful, thanks.
High BP runs in my family, mine has been raised and I'll be having it checked next week, so will refer back to here as the dr never explains it properly! I'm hoping exercise and healthier food will have lowered it since last time.

weightloss12345678

Mines was high normal in Feb then I started working out and lost 20+ lbs now its bout 121/80, yeah eating better too