Blood Pressure: What Your Numbers Mean
Keeping an eye on your blood pressure is very important for staying healthy. But what exactly is blood pressure?
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is like a measuring stick for how hard your heart is working to pump blood through your body. When you go to the doctor, they use a special cuff on your arm to see how your heart is doing.
What do the numbers mean?
When you look at your blood pressure reading, you will see two numbers. These numbers are important because they tell you about your heart health.
- Systolic pressure: This is the first number or the number on the top. It shows how much pressure your blood puts on your artery walls when your heart beats. Think of it like the pressure you feel when you blow up a balloon.
- Diastolic pressure: This is the second number or the number on the bottom. It shows the pressure on your arteries when your heart is resting between beats. It’s like when you stop blowing into the balloon and it sits there.
What are healthy numbers?
- A normal blood pressure is usually a systolic number under 120 and a diastolic number under 80, like 119/79.
- If the numbers are higher, like 130/85 or higher, your heart is likely working too hard. If this is the case, you should talk to your doctor about ways to keep your heart healthy.
Why is knowing my blood pressure important?
Knowing your blood pressure numbers helps you and your doctor understand how well your heart works. If your numbers are too high, your doctor can help you find ways to lower them. This might include eating healthier foods, exercising, or taking medicine.
Remember, your heart is very important. Taking care of it means knowing your blood pressure numbers. So, next time you see the doctor, ask about your blood pressure and how to keep your heart strong and healthy!
Source:
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings
