Facts About Blood Pressure Tearpad

Your Blood Pressure

What is blood pressure?

Your blood pressure is the force that moving blood puts on your artery walls. When your blood pressure is taken, two numbers are used to show it, like 120/80 (read 120 over 80). The first, or top number, is called the systolic pressure. This is how much pressure is on your arteries when the heart pumps blood out to your body. The second, or bottom number, is called the diastolic pressure. This is how much pressure is there when your blood vessels relax to let the blood flow back into your heart.

peak pressure (systolic)

diastolic pressure

Blood pressure levels are ranked in stages. Each stage gives a range of blood pressure readings and tells how it ranks. The stages are: Rank

Systolic (top number)

Diastolic (bottom number)

High normal (pre-hypertension)

130-39

or

80-89

Stage 1 hypertension

140-159

or

80-89

Stage 2 hypertension

160 or higher

or

100 or higher

Your doctor may adjust your target goal based on how you respond to medicine and lifestyle changes.

Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. Bringing Patients & Health Together ®

Atlanta, GA

800-241-4925

Product # 422A

Your Blood Pressure Your blood pressure is a moving target. It can go up or down depending upon what you are doing, for example: • When you sleep, your blood pressure is often much lower. As you wake up and start moving around, it goes up. • Talking, walking or eating can make your blood pressure go up. • Sudden pain or stress can cause your blood pressure to rise in a few seconds.

• Exercising hard or getting excited can also raise your blood pressure. • Smoking and drinking caffeine within 30 minutes of taking your blood pressure can also affect your blood pressure reading.

So when you take your blood pressure, do it after you have rested quietly for at least 5 minutes. This allows your blood pressure to get back to what it really is. Use this chart to record your blood pressure readings. Take it with you to your next doctor visit. Date

Reading Top/Lower

Time

Comments

Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. Bringing Patients & Health Together ®

Atlanta, GA

800-241-4925

Product # 422A

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook