Get Your Blood Pressure Checked

The Basics Check your blood pressure at least every 2 years starting at age 18. Check your blood pressure at least every 2 years starting at age 18. It’s important to check your blood pressure often, especially if you are over age 40.High blood pressure is the same as hypertension. Hypertension (“hy-puhr-TEHN-shun”) is the medical term for high blood pressure. High blood pressure has no signs or symptoms. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get tested.By taking steps to lower your blood pressure, you can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Lowering your blood pressure can also help you live a longer, healthier life.What is blood pressure? Blood pressure is how hard your blood pushes against the walls of your arteries when your heart pumps blood.Arteries are the tubes that carry blood away from your heart. Every time your heart beats, it pumps blood through your arteries to the rest of your body.How can I get my blood pressure checked? To test your blood pressure, the nurse or doctor will put a cuff around your upper arm and pump up the cuff with air until it feels tight.This usually takes less than a minute. The doctor or nurse can tell you what your blood pressure numbers are right after the test is over.You can also check your own blood pressure with a blood pressure machine. You can find blood pressure machines in malls, pharmacies, and grocery stores.What do blood pressure numbers mean? A blood pressure test measures you how hard your heart is working to pump blood through your body.Blood pressure is measured with 2 numbers. The first number is the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The second number is the pressure in your arteries between each beat, when your heart relaxes.Compare your blood pressure to these numbers:<ul ><li>Normal blood pressure is lower than 120/80 (said “120 over 80”).</li><li>High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher.</li><li>Blood pressure that’s between normal and high (for example, 130/85) is called prehypertension (“PREE-hy-puhr-tehn-shun”), or high normal blood pressure.</li></ul>Am I at risk for high blood pressure? One in 3 Americans has high blood pressure. Most Americans over age 40 are at risk.You may be at extra risk for high blood pressure if you:<ul ><li>Are overweight or obese</li><li>Smoke</li><li>Have a family history of high blood pressure</li><li>Eat foods high in sodium (salt)</li><li>Get less than 30 minutes of activity on most days</li><li>Drink more than a moderate amount of alcohol (2 drinks a day for men or 1 drink a day for women)</li></ul><a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbp/atrisk.html" >Learn more about what could put you at risk for high blood pressure</a>.What if I have high blood pressure? If you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor.Take these steps to lower your blood pressure:<ul><li><a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=21">Eat healthy foods</a> that are low in saturated fat and sodium (salt).</li><li><a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=22">Be active</a> – Aim for 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity.</li><li><a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=25">Lose weight</a> by eating healthy and getting active.</li></ul>Small changes can add up. For example, losing just 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure by several points. Some people may need medicine to control their blood pressure.Learn more about managing high blood pressure:<ul ><li><a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/treat/question.htm" >Print out this list of questions to ask your doctor about blood pressure</a>.</li><li><a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/treat/treat.htm" >Check out this guide to lowering high blood pressure</a>.</li></ul>

Take Action! If you smoke, take steps to quit. Smoking increases your chances of having high blood pressure. Find out your blood pressure as soon as possible. If you have high blood pressure, take steps to protect your health.Check your blood pressure regularly. Many shopping malls, pharmacies, and grocery stores have blood pressure machines you can use. Most of these machines don’t cost any money.<ul ><li><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/HI00016/METHOD=print" >Get tips on checking your blood pressure at home</a>. </li><li><a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/hbpwallet.pdf" >Print this tool to keep track of your blood pressure [PDF - 663 KB]</a>.</li></ul>You can also have a doctor or nurse check your blood pressure.What about cost? Blood pressure testing is covered under the <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/rights/preventive-care/index.html" >Affordable Care Act</a>, the health care reform law passed in 2010. Depending on your insurance, you may be able to get your blood pressure checked by a doctor or nurse at no cost to you.Check with your insurance provider to find out what's included in your plan. <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2010/07/preventive-services-list.html" >For information about other services covered by the Affordable Care Act, visit HealthCare.gov</a>.<a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=21">Eat healthy</a>. Eating less sodium (salt) can lower your blood pressure. Look for foods that say “low sodium,” “reduced sodium,” or “no salt added.”When you go food shopping, <a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/prevent/sodium/lflabel.htm" >check the Nutrition Facts label for the Daily Value (DV) of sodium</a>. Choose foods with 5% or less of the DV (Daily Value) of sodium. Foods with a DV of 20% or more are high in sodium.Eating more potassium can also help lower your blood pressure. Good sources of potassium include potatoes, cantaloupe, bananas, beans, and yogurt.Get more tips to:<ul ><li><a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTool.aspx?toolId=57">Reduce the sodium (salt) in your diet</a></li><li><a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTool.aspx?toolId=58">Shop for low sodium foods</a></li><li><a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/prevent/h_eating/tips.htm" >Make healthier meals</a></li></ul><a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=22">Get active</a>. Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of high blood pressure. Aim for 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate activity, like:<ul><li>Walking fast</li><li>Dancing</li><li>Riding bikes</li><li>Swimming</li><li>Aerobics</li></ul><a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=24">Quit smoking</a>. Smoking increases your chance of having high blood pressure. <a href="http://www.smokefree.gov/quit-guide.aspx" >Get tips to quit</a> – for good.<a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=16">Drink alcohol only in moderation</a>. This means no more than 2 drinks a day for men or 1 drink a day for women.<a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTopic.aspx?topicID=45">Manage your stress</a>. Managing stress can help prevent and control high blood pressure. Deep breathing and meditation are good ways to relax and manage stress.

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li><a href="http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/AboutHighBloodPressure/The-Scoop-on-Sodium-Quiz_UCM_303316_Article.jsp" >Take this quiz to test your knowledge about sodium and blood pressure</a>. </li><li>Eat fresh fruit for dessert.</li><li><a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/recipes.htm">Get recipes for cooking the heart-healthy way</a>. </li></ul>