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Everyone would like to have healthy blood pressure -- but what exactly does that mean?

When a doctor takes your blood pressure, it’s expressed as a measurement with two numbers, with one number on top (systolic) and one on the bottom (diastolic), like a fraction.

Systolic pressure = refers to the amount of pressure in your arteries during the contraction of your heart muscle.

Diastolic pressure = refers to your blood pressure when your heart muscle is between beats. 

Numbers greater than the ideal range indicate that your heart is working too hard to pump blood to the rest of your body.

 

Top #   Bottom # You are: Recommendations:
Below 120 and Below 80 Normal blood pressure Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle.
120-129 and Below 80 Elevated blood pressure Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle.
130-139 or 80-89 Stage 1 high blood pressure (hypertension) Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about if you need to take one or more medications.
140 or higher or 90 or higher Stage 2 high blood pressure (hypertension) Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about taking more than one medication.

 

Make sure to schedule an appointment with your family doctor at Patient Choice Medical Care to stay up to date on your health.

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