Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure is the force exerted by the blood stream against the
walls of the arteries. Blood Pressure is always expressed in two numbers.
The pressure produced in the artery each time the blood is pushed forcibly
from the heart into the large blood vessels is termed systolic pressure.
The pressure that exists in the arteries when the heart is relaxing between
beats is termed diastolic pressure.
When a person has high blood pressure, the heart must work harder than
normal to force blood through the arteries; additionally, the arteries are
under a greater-than-normal strain. Over time, high blood pressure causes
the heart to enlarge and weaken, and the process of atherosclerosis speeds
up.
Hypertension cannot be cured, but it can be treated and controlled
through changes in diet, exercise, and medication. An estimated 60 million
Americans have hypertension, though only a small percentage controls it (Fahey
et.al. 1994).
| Classification |
Systolic |
Diastolic |
| Normal |
below 130 |
below 85 |
| High Normal |
130-139 |
85-89 |
| Mild Hypertensive |
140-159 |
90-99 |
| Moderate Hypertensive |
160-179 |
100-109 |
Severe Hypertensive
(consult physician) |
180 or above |
110 or above |
Date: ________ Your B.P. _________
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