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Juab: 435-623-0696 East Millard: 435-743-5723 West Millard: 435-864-3612 Piute: 435-577-2521 North Sanpete: 435-462-2449 South Sanpete: 435-835-2231 Sevier: 435-896-5451 Wayne: 435-836-1317 |
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Blood pressure
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Your blood pressure is the highest when the heart contracts (while it is pumping blood). This is called systolic pressure. When the heart is relaxing it is called diastolic pressure. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic pressure are equally important. The systolic measurement is on the top and the diastolic is on the bottom (i.e. 120/80).
What does high blood pressure do to your body?
High Blood Pressure causes the heart to work harder putting you at increased risk for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney and eye problems. There are no symptoms to identify high blood pressure and therefore many people are unaware that they have it. The only way to detect high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly.
What is considered high blood pressure or hypertension?
On May 14th, 2004 the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute released new guidelines for the prevention, detection, and treatment of high blood pressure. These guidelines now include a new classification called "pre hypertension". This classification reflects the urgency for awareness and the need for steps to be taken.
| Category | Systolic | Diastolic |
|---|---|---|
| Optimal | less than 120 | less than 80 |
| Pre hypertension | 120-139 or | 80-89 |
| Stage 1 hypertension | 140-159 or | 90-99 |
| Stage 2 hypertension | more than 160 | 100 or more |
What can you do for high blood pressure or hypertension?
There are many lifestyle approaches to help control high blood pressure. These include increasing physical activity, following the DASH diet, maintaining a healthy weight, choosing foods low in sodium and limiting alcohol. There are also many uncontrollable risk factors that include family history, increasing age, race, diabetes and gender.
What do I need to do before getting my blood pressure taken?
Many things can effect your blood pressure test or measurement. Click here to find out.
Can my eating habits effect my blood pressure?
The DASH diet can help reduce your blood pressure. Click here to find out more.
Where I can find out more information?
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Central Utah Public Health Department
Juab County: 146 North Main, Nephi, UT 84648 · (435) 623-0696
East Millard County: 55 South 400 West, Fillmore, UT 84631 · (435) 743-5723
West Millard County: 428 East Topaz Blvd, Suite D, Delta, UT 84624 · (435) 864-3612
Piute County: 550 North Main, Junction, UT 84740 · (435) 577-2521
North Sanpete County: 20 South 100 West, Suite 30, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84642 · (435) 462-2449
South Sanpete County: 40 West 200 North, Manti, UT 84642 · (435) 835-2231
Sevier County: 70 Westview Dr., Richfield, UT 84701 · (435) 896-5451
Wayne County: 18 South Main, Loa, UT 84747 · (435) 836-1317
© 2007 Central Utah Public Health Department. All rights reserved.