High Blood Pressure

Low Risk Blood Pressure

120 over 80

Medium Risk Blood Pressure

121 to 139 over 80 to 89

High Risk Blood Pressure

140+ over 90

What is blood pressure?

A measure of the force of blood against the walls of your blood vessels (Arteries)

Maintaining a healthy body weight

Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. If you are overweight, losing even 5% to 10% of your weight can help reduce your blood pressure as well as dramatically decrease your chances of having a stroke or heart attack.

Factors you cant control if you have high blood pressure:

Age, ethnicity and gender.

Factors you can control if you have high blood pressure:

Diet, exercise and smoking.

Healthy eating

Eat a healthy, balanced, diet that is lower in salt and fat (especially saturated and trans fats).

High blood pressure is putting you at high risk for what?

For stroke and a major risk factor for heart disease.

How can you reduce the amount of sodium you eat?

High sources of convenience and snack foods and smoked, salted, cured or canned meats and fish. Also try to limit your use of salt during cooking and at the table. The heart and stroke foundation recommends that Canadians eat less than 2,300 mg of sodium a day from processed foods and salt added during food preparation and at the table.

Limit your alcohol consumption

If you drink alcohol, limit yourself to no more than 2 drinks a day, to a weekly maximum of 10 for women and 3 drinks a day to a weekly maximum of 15 for men.

What should i do if i have a high blood pressure reading?

If you have one high reading, you should have it checked at least two more times on separate days to determine if it is constantly high.

Be smoke-free

If you smoke, speak to your doctor or healthcare provider about quitting. If your don't smoke, minimize exposure to secondhand smoke.

How do i check my blood pressure?

It is recommended that you get your blood pressure checked at least once every year by a healthcare provider.

If you have diabetes, what is the high risk category for your blood pressure?

It is slightly lower, your blood pressure should be less than 130 over 80.

What should your systolic blood pressure be if you are over 80 years of age?

Less than 150.

What can i do to control my blood pressure?

Reduce the amount of sodium you eat, healthy eating, physical activity, maintain healthy body weight, be smoke-free, limit alcohol consumption, find healthy ways to manage your stress.

What are some signs of a heart attack?

Signs may differ from person to person: Chest discomfort (squeezing, fullness or pain, burning or heaviness), sweating, upper body discomfort (neck, jaw, shoulder, arms, back), nausea, shortness of breath, lightheaded.

What is blood pressure made up of?

The 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 beats.

Finding healthy ways to manage your stress

Too much stress may increase your blood pressure. Avoid unhealthy stress coping mechanisms such as smoking, alcohol use, poor food choices, not being active, watching too much television and find relief instead with physical activity, socializing, laughter and healthy eating. Remember to take time to your self.

What is Low Blood Pressure

When the pressure in your arteries drops and your heart is pumping your blood at a slower rate than normal through your blood vessels.

What happens when the blood pressure in your arteries is elevated?

Your heart has to work harder then normal to pump blood through the blood vessels.