The Pressure is On!

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Blood Pressure 

Blood is typically recorded as two numbers, written as a ratio. 

It's read as "117 over 76 millimeters of mercury" 

Systolic: The top number, which is also the higher of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts). 

 Diastolic: The bottom number, which is also the lower of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood). 

The goal is to be less than 120 for the top number and less than 80 for the bottom number.

Here is a list of lifestyle practices you can add that may improve your numbers! 

  •  Reduce caffeine
  •  Manage stress
  •  Exercise
  •  Quit smoking
  •  Cut down alcohol 
  •  Get enough hours of quality sleep
  •  Reduce salty foods (like canned food, processed meats, or mixes with flavor packs) 
 As always, if you have concerns, talk to your doctor!




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