Understanding Blood Pressure
The term used to describe the force of circulating blood against the artery walls
Blood pressure
This is what should be done if you or someone you know is experiencing a hypertensive emergency
Seek immediate medical help
This age group is most likely to experience hypertension
The elderly
This is where the blood pressure cuff should be applied
Above the elbow on the upper arm
Doing this everyday may help to lower your blood pressure
Exercising
This is considered to be a healthy/normal blood pressure
120/80
This is what separates a hypertensive emergency from regular high blood pressure
symptoms of distress
This type of risk factor can be improved or changed based on lifestyle choices
Modifiable risk factor
Consuming this before a reading may result in an inaccurate blood pressure measurement
Caffeine
These habits are likely to make hypertension worse
Smoking, drinking alcohol and doing recreational drugs
These two values make up a blood pressure reading. One is on top, the other on bottom
Systolic and diastolic
These may be considered symptoms of a hypertensive emergency
shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, change in vision, difficulty speaking
This is an example of a health condition that may increase risk or severity of hypertension
Chronic kidney disease, sleep apnea, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol
Five minutes
This diet is the gold standard for preventing and treating hypertension
DASH Diet (dietary approaches to stop hypertension)
Hypertension may go undiagnosed because of this
Not having symptoms
A blood pressure reading of this amount or higher may indicate a hypertensive emergency
>180/120
These racial groups may be at higher risk of hypertension
African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Native Americans
Doing this with your legs may affect your blood pressure reading
Crossing your legs
Your body retains more fluid when this substance is consumed
Sodium (salt)
As many as this many American adults may have hypertension
Nearly 50%
Unregulated hypertension may lead to these serious health issues
Heart attack, stroke, dementia, heart disease/failure, vision loss, erectile dysfunction
This class of drugs may increase the risk of developing hypertension
over the counter pain killers like ibuprofen and Tylenol (NSAIDs)
This is how you should be positioned when reading blood pressure
resting with arm on flat surface at heart level, sitting up right with legs uncrossed on the floor
This type of fat is considered more likely to increase blood pressure
Saturated fats