Blood Pressure Testing

"Blood pressure" is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries and is measured as systolic (sis-TOL-ik) and diastolic (di-a-STOL-ik) pressures.  "Systolic" refers to blood pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood.  "Diastolic" refers to blood pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.  The systolic number is recorded above or before the diastolic number, such as 120/80.

Blood pressure should stay below 120/80.  If this pressure rises and stays high over time (High Blood Pressure), it can damage the body in many ways. 

Healthy adults 18 years and older with previous normal blood pressure should be screened for high blood pressure at least every 2 years.  Individuals with previous high blood pressure or those who are diagnosed with Hypertension should be tested more frequently as recommended by your health care provider.

Call 920-465-2380 to schedule an appointment with a Registered Nurse to have you blood pressure tested.

Source: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm

For further reading:

“What Is High Blood Pressure?” (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute)

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbp/

“Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension” (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute)

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/dash/