Almost half of American adults have high blood pressure, or hypertension. It is often called the "silent killer" because people often do not have any symptoms and many do not know they have it
What is blood pressure
Blood pressure refers to the blood flowing through your blood vessels, according to the American Heart Association. When your heart beats, it pumps blood through the body's blood vessels. As the blood moves through the body, it pushes against the sides of the blood vessels.
Blood pressure is measured with two numbers: the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure. A blood pressure reading of 1
Systolic refers to the pressure in the person's arteries when the heart beats.
Blood pressure less than 120/80 mm Hg are considered normal, according to the American Heart Association
Blood pressure numbers from 120 to 129 systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic are considered elevated.
What is low blood pressure
A blood pressure reading of less than 90 systolic or less than 60 mm Hg diastolic is generally considered a low blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic. Low blood pressure is also referred to as hypotension.
If there are no symptoms, low blood pressure is generally not considered dangerous. If symptomatic, low blood pressure can be a sign of a serious medical condition. Symptoms may include:
What is high blood pressure
Blood pressure above 130/80 mm Hg is considered high blood pressure, or hypertension
Most of the time, high blood pressure has no obvious symptoms. But left untreated, it can damage the blood vessels.
A healthy lifestyle and medications can lower blood pressure. Lifestyle changes include eating a well-balanced diet that is low in salt, limiting alcohol, exercising regularly, managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking. If you take medications to control your blood pressure, make sure you take them properly and work with your doctor.
How can I lower my blood pressure immediately for a test? blood pressure, including lifestyle changes
But there are things you can do in the moment
Make sure your blood pressure is measured under the right conditions to get the correct reading: You need to be in a quiet room. Do not smoke, drink caffeinated beverages or exercise within 30 minutes before taking the measurement. Also, empty your bladder and be still for at least five minutes before, the American Heart Association recommends.
Stress hormones constrict blood vessels, raising blood pressure. To help your body relax quickly, practice deep breathing: Sit still with one hand on your stomach and the other over your heart. Inhale slowly until you feel your stomach rise, then hold your breath for a moment. Exhale slowly and feel your stomach fall. Repeat
Staying well hydrated – preferably with water – helps keep the heart from working too hard, according to the American Heart Association.
Can aspirin help lower blood pressure?
Can aspirin help lower blood pressure
Can aspirin help lower blood pressure? Aspirin can be part of a treatment plan for patients with a history of heart attack or stroke, but its effect on blood pressure is still being studied
It depends on your blood pressure
It depends on the situation. High blood pressure may return to normal quickly after a stressful situation passes.
It takes about one to three months for regular exercise to have an effect, according to the Mayo Clinic
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