Hypertension Flashcards
Define hypertension
Hypertension is a condition in which the pressure of the blood against the artery walls is so high that it leads to health problems
True or false: the more your heart pumps the higher the blood pressure gets
True
Hypertension can lead to …
- Heart attack
- Stroke
What are the risks of hypertension
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Heart failure
- Atherosclerosis
- Aortic aneurysms
- Kidney disease
- Vascular dementia
How is blood pressure measured
Blood pressure is measured with a systolic and a diastolic number. The systolic pressure is the force at which your heart pumps blood. The diastolic pressure is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels.
What is blood pressure measured in
It is measured in mmHg or millimeters of Mercury
What is the range for high blood pressure
140/90 mmHg
What is a normal blood pressure range
90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg
What is the range for low blood pressure
90/60 mmHg or lower
Lifestyle choices that increase your risk of hypertension
- Smoking - reduces oxygen in blood, raises heart rate and blood pressure
- A poor diet
- Excessive alcohol - raises blood pressure
- Lack of physical activity - increases risk of high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity
- High salt intake
- High stress levels
- Use of medication
- Being obese - raise cholesterol, blood pressure, risk of type 2 diabetes