Your blood pressure can change at any time, depending on your activity level, stress and many other factors.

Measuring blood pressure
When the heart beats, the blood vessel walls contract, pushing blood through the body. The harder the muscles contract, the higher the blood pressure becomes because there is less room inside the blood vessels.

Systolic pressure (top number) is measured when the blood vessel wall contracts.

Diastolic pressure (bottom number) is measured when the blood vessel wall relaxes, between beats.

Symptoms of high blood pressure
High blood pressure is often referred to as the "silent killer" because quite often there are no signs or symptoms present.  There are, however, some symptoms which may be related to high blood pressure.  They are:

• Persistent headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Tension
• Chest pain
• Blurred vision
• Shortness of breath

What can you do about high blood pressure?

• Know what your blood pressure is and monitor it regularly.
• Work with your doctor to determine the best treatment for you.
• Limit your intake of salt (sodium).
• Lose excess weight.
• Exercise at least three times a week for 30 - 60 minutes.
• Follow a low-fat, reduced-calorie diet.
• Take medications as prescribed.
• Stop smoking.
• Avoid certain over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines.
• Decrease stress factors.

You maybe are at risk for high blood pressure, if you:

• Are African-American
• Are a woman using oral contraceptives
• Are obese
• Have a family history of high blood pressure
• Drink alcohol excessively
• Are diabetic
• Have kidney disease
• Have sleep apnea

For a free blood pressure and cholesterol
tracking diary, click here.

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