What is blood pressure?

Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Each time the heart beats which is approximately 60 to 70 time a minute at rest, it pumps out the blood into the arteries. Systolic pressure measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats. Diastolic pressure means the pressure measured in your blood vessels when your heart rests between beats. A normal reading would be 120/80 and below.

Importance of blood pressure

Why is blood pressure so important in our health status? There are very serious risks of having high blood pressure. Your risk of heart disease becomes higher. Not being in control of your blood pressure when it gets high can also lead to a person having a stroke. Artery walls can harden and they cause a disease called arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis can cause blocking of the blood flow to kidneys, hearts, arms, legs, and brain. Having an aneurysm which is a ballooning and weakening in a blood vessel. Eye damage can also be a negative result of uncontrolled blood pressure.

Preventative measures

As you age prevention of high blood pressure becomes more important. Take time to care about yourself! Try to reduce the risk for yourself. Healthier life style habits are possible.

• Stop smoking
• Do more physical activity
• Implement a healthy diet
• Watch your weight! Participate in more physical activity on a daily basis

Loving Hearts Home Care, Inc. provide staff that are able to help monitor your blood pressure should you require help.

Credit: Wikipedia
photo credit: Stethoscope + Sphygmomanometer (Blood Pressure Cuff) via photopin (license)