Hump Day Health – What Is Your Blood Pressure?
March 12, 2008 by Teri Cosenzi
Filed under Health
Getting older brings on so many health concerns – don’t we all know it. But one very important, simple to do test, can tell a lot about our overall well being. That is our blood pressure. No wonder it is one of the first things checked when we get to the Doctor’s office.
from WebMD:
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The heart pumps blood into the arteries (blood vessels), which carry the blood throughout the body. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the body and it contributes to hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis and the development of heart failure.
Blood Pressure Guidelines
- Normal: Less than 120/80
- Prehypertension: 120-139/80-89
- Stage 1 hypertension: 140-159/90-99
- Stage 2 hypertension: 160 and above/100 and above
While there are certainly blood pressure guidelines such as those above, the only person that can tell you what your ideal
blood pressure should be, is of course, your health care provider. If you do not have an appointment soon, give the office a call and ask what it should be. Then the next time you are at your local pharmacy (or wherever you have seen one of those blood pressure machines) sit down and take your blood pressure. If it is not in the range that your Doctor suggested, give them a call. It could be an indicator of something. Better to be safe than sorry. High blood pressure is never a good thing.
When is the last time you had your blood pressure checked? Do you even know what your normal blood pressure is?
Good to know. I always wanted to understand the numbers, and now I do.
Very helpful – thanks!
You can remain beautiful even at adult stage or old age. You just have to keep your sugar and pressure levels under range so that you can keep fit.
Almost Veg – Next time you are at the doctor and they take your blood pressure, ask them exactly what each number means, and it will make even more sense to you.
I use eye cream/gel religiously and have been using it since I was 17. The fact that I started taking care of the skin around my eyes for over 2 decades now mean that I have no wrinkles around my eyes and no crow’s feet.
Gisele