Blood Pressure Chart And Health

Guest Author - Moss Greene

A Blood pressure chart helps you track this important biomarker of your health. At one time, not too long ago, it was either high, normal or low. But, there’s a new classification now between normal and high called “pre-hypertension.”

According to recent research, about ninety percent of the people in this “pre-hypertension” stage go on to develop full blown hypertension during their lifetime. High blood pressure boosts the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and new studies show that it also leads to Alzheimer’s Disease. So, people can use “pre-hypertension” as a warning signal that they may be on the road to bigger problems, if they don’t do something about it.

Blood pressure is read systolic over diastolic – for example, 120 over 80 or 120/80. Systolic is measured when the walls of the blood vessels contract and diastolic is measured when the walls relax. Here’s how the new federal guidelines break down:

Normal: Systolic less than 120 – Diastolic less than 80

Pre-hypertension: Systolic 120-139 – Diastolic 80-89

Stage one hypertension: Systolic 140-159 – Diastolic 90-99

Stage two hypertension: Systolic 160 + – Diastolic 100 +

Obviously, you want to keep your readings below 120/80. The lower you can get it, without feeling faint when you stand up, the better. But even a slight reduction helps. Reducing your numbers by just a couple of points can greatly decrease your risk of both stroke and heart disease.

And, the really good news is that your pressure can usually be lowered without resorting to medications. This is important because most medications have serious side effects. By making healthy lifestyle changes such as adding regular moderate exercise and getting on a good permanent whole food diet, as well as reducing stress, you can avoid or even eliminate costly (to both your health and your pocketbook) high blood pressure medication.

Articles you might also enjoy
Common Pregnancy Complaints
Food Cravings
Post Partum Depression

To subscribe to the Pregnancy Newsletter, just enter your email address in the subscribe box at the bottom of this page.

© Copyright Moss Greene. All Rights Reserved.

Note: The information contained on this website is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Any attempt to diagnose or treat a condition should come under the direction of a qualified practitioner.