Blood pressure and you: what you don't know can hurt you.

High Blood Pressure--Quick Facts

1 in 3 Americans have high blood pressure

30% of people with high blood pressure don't know they have it

High blood pressure can lead to heart disease and/or stroke

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What is Hypertension?

** Hypertension, or high blood pressure is called "the silent killer" because people often don't know they have it

** Systolic Pressure (the top number on your reading) reflects the pressure in your arteries when the heart beats

** Diastolic Pressure (the bottom number) reflects the arterial pressure between heartbeats.

** Over time, high blood pressure can damage many of your arteries and organs

Know Your Numbers

* Normal: 119 mm Hg systolic or below and/or 79 mm Hg diastolic or below

* Prehypertension: 120 to 139 mm Hg systolic and/or 80 to 89 diastolic or below

* Stage 1 Hypertension: 140 to 159 mm Hg systolic and/or between 90 and 99 mm Hg diastolic

* Stage 2 Hypertension: 160 mm Hg or above systolic and/or 100 mm Hg diastolic or above

What You Can Do ... Today!

1. Have your blood pressure checked.

2. If your blood pressure is high, see a doctor.

3. Exercise for 30 minutes.

4. Stop smoking,

5. Eating 5-9 fruits and vegetables.

6. Avoid salt and fat.

7. Find ways to reduce the stress

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