Page 19 - South Asia BioBank Sample Health Report

BLOOD PRESSURE Your average blood pressure is 125/83 HEALTHY OR NORMAL

BLOOD PRESSURE?

WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (BP)?
Systolic: lower than 140 mmHg
Blood pressure is the force at which the blood pushes against our blood vessel walls. High blood pressure (HBP) means Diastolic: lower than 90 mmHg
the pressure in your arteries is higher than it should be. Another name for high blood pressure is hypertension. Blood
pressure is written as two numbers, such as 112/78 mm Hg. The top (systolic) number is the pressure generated when the
heart contracts. The bottom (diastolic) number is the pressure when the heart is relaxed between contractions.

High blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms. That’s why it is so dangerous. But it can be managed. 7 million LOW BLOOD
people in the UK have high blood pressure and don’t know it. Not treating high blood pressure is dangerous. High PRESSURE?
blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Systolic: lower than 90 mmHg
AM I AT HIGHER RISK OF DEVELOPING HIGH BP? /WHY DO I HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE? Diastolic: lower than 60 mmHg
There are risk factors that increase your chances of developing high blood pressure. Some you can control. Those that
can be controlled are:
Being obese or overweight
High salt intake POSSIBLE RAISED
High alcohol intake BLOOD PRESSURE
Not exercising enough
Diabetes Systolic: between 140 and 180 mmHg
Cigarette smoking and exposure to second hand smoke Diastolic: between 90 and 110 mmHg

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT HIGH BP?
Reach and maintain a healthy weight. Focus on reducing intake of sugars and refined starch.
Reduce the amount of salt you have in your diet. 75% of the salt we eat is already added to our food so you should SEVERELY ELEVATED
aim for 1.5g/day. BLOOD PRESSURE
Limit your alcohol intake to less than 14 units/week
Be more physically active. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or at least 75 minutes of Systolic: higher than 180 mmHg
vigorous physical activity per week, spread throughout the week. Diastolic: higher than 110 mmHg
Don’t smoke and avoid second hand smoke.
Take blood pressure medication as advised
Know what your blood pressure should be and work to keep it at that level.