Blood Pressure Test (Know your Idea body
weight) High Blood Pressure: also know as the silent killer and most prevalent in African Americans. High blood pressure and
excessive weight strain the heart and force it to work harder. High blood pressure can lead to brain hemorrhages, aneurysms,
heart disease, and kidney or eye problems. Get your blood pressure checked and know your numbers! It could make the difference
between life and death.
Definition
Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure.
Blood
pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and usually given as two numbers. For example, 120 over 80
(written as 120/80 mmHg).
The top number is your systolic pressure, the pressure
created when your heart beats. It is considered high if it is consistently over 140.
The bottom number is your
diastolic pressure,
the pressure inside
blood vessels when the
heart is at rest. It is considered high if it is consistently over 90. Either or both of these numbers may be too high.
Pre-hypertension is when your systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 139 or your diastolic
blood pressure is between 80 and 89 on multiple readings. If you have pre-hypertension, you are more likely to develop
high blood pressure.
