High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (or hypertension) is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. About 20% of Canadians have high blood pressure, but many don’t know it because they don’t show any symptoms.
Blood pressure measures the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. The top number measures systolic blood pressure, when the heart beats and pushes blood out. The bottom number measures diastolic blood pressure, the lowest pressure which occurs between heart beats.
- Normal blood pressure is less than 120 over 80.
- Prehypertension is 120-139 over 80-89.
- High blood pressure is more than 140 over 90.
There are some risk factors for high blood pressure that you cannot control, including age and family history. However, there are many lifestyle factors that you can control that have an effect on blood pressure. Some of these are:
- Body weight (being overweight or obese)
- Not exercising
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Stress
- Other medical conditions
- Too much salt (sodium) in the diet
Even small changes can make a difference. Lose a few pounds, exercise more, and cut back on salt and alcohol.
Recommended Links
High blood pressure - Heart & Stroke Foundation
High blood pressure (hypertension) - Mayo Clinic
