“Blood pressure” refers to the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls.
“High blood pressure,” also known as “hypertension,” refers to when this force is stronger than it ought to be. The heart pumps faster than it should, which can lead to hardening of the arteries, stroke, heart disease, heart failure, and headaches. Learn how to use an AED and the benefits it has for your heart.
How To Determine High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is expressed in the form “X/Y mm Hg”, where X is systolic pressure and Y is diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the pressure during a heartbeat, and diastolic pressure is the pressure during the rests between heartbeats.
High blood pressure is considered to be a systolic pressure higher than 180, and/or a diastolic pressure higher than 80. A healthy blood pressure is considered to be around 120/80 mm Hg or less.
Causes of High Blood Pressure
In some cases, it can be difficult to ascertain exactly why someone has high blood pressure, but there are certain proven risk factors that can be avoided, including:
+ Smoking
+ Excessive weight
+ Insufficient exercise
+ Excessive alcohol consumption
How to Treat High Blood Pressure
The easiest way to treat high blood pressure is through lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, changing diet, committing to regular exercise. Some medications can be used to treat high blood pressure. The most common of these are diuretics, which can help lessen high blood pressure by increasing the excretion of wastes from the body. Individuals should always consult with a physician about their treatments for hypertension.
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