What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is a measure of the pressure or force of blood against the walls of your blood vessels (known as arteries). Your blood pressure reading is made up of two measures called systolic and diastolic. The systolic (top) number is the measure of the pressure force when your heart contracts and pushes out the blood. The diastolic (bottom) number is the measure of when your heart relaxes between each beat.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure is often called “the silent killer” because there are few warning signs. Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects approximately one billion people worldwide and that number is expected to increase in future years.

High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke and a top risk factor for heart disease. High blood pressure is when the blood pressure in your blood vessels is elevated and your heart has to work harder than normal to pump blood through the blood vessels. It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly by your doctor.

There are several ways to minimize the risk of developing high blood pressure, including:

• Follow a healthy diet

• Quitting smoking

• Engaging in regular physical activity (minimum of 30 minutes five days a week)

• Manage stress levels

References available upon request.