Taking Control of Your Blood Pressure

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Taking Control of Your Blood Pressure

• Brian Gatti

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What is Blood Pressure?

• It is the pressure of blood against the walls of
  the blood vessels.
• It tells us how hard the heart is working.
• Too high means the heart is working extra hard
  and this could be very dangerous!

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2 Types of Blood Pressure

• Systolic Blood Pressure (top number)
• Diastolic Blood Pressure (bottom number)
• Example of how blood pressure is shown 120/80
• 120 is the systolic and the 80 is the diastolic.

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2 Types of Blood Pressure

• Systolic Blood Pressure
• Is the measured pressure placed on the blood
  vessels while the heart is contracting.

• Diastolic Blood Pressure
• Is the measured pressure placed on the blood
  vessels while the heart is at rest. (not
  contracting)

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How is Blood Pressure Taken?

• It is best taken by a health care professional to
  get an accurate reading.
• There are also small electronic machines that can
  take your blood pressure. They are good for
  people who have to continuously monitor their
  blood pressure

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Tips While Taking Blood Pressure

• Make sure you are relaxed, dont take after
  activity.
• Make sure the arm cuff is about an inch above the
  elbow.
• There should be a marking on the arm cuff that
  should be placed toward the inside of the arm.

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Tips While Taking Blood Pressure

• Should not over pump as it will close off the
  artery
• Best to take reading on the left arm as it is
  close to the heart.
• Keep the arm level with the heart.
• Try not to eat anything right before the blood
  pressure reading.

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Normal Blood Pressure

• Adult 120/80
• Adolescent 115/70
• Child 100/60
• Anything 140/90 or over is too for an
  adult

high
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Preventing High Blood Pressure

• Maintain ideal body weight.
• Increase aerobic exercise.

• Reduce sodium intake.
• Increase potassium intake. (from fruit)

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Preventing High Blood Pressure

• Reduce smoking
• Reduce alcohol intake
• Reduce stress
• Be aware of your genetics so you make following
  these other steps part of your life!