High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of an artery. You may not be able to feel when your blood pressure is high. It is important to always take your blood pressure medicines as prescribed by your doctor and to check it often. Having your blood pressure checked at each visit with your doctor or health care provider will help you manage it. Watch the video below to learn more about blood pressure.
Video credit: Heart Foundation NZ
When your blood pressure is checked, two measurements are taken:
- Systolic pressure is the pressure in the blood vessels as the blood is pumped from the heart. Systolic is the top number.
- Diastolic pressure is the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is at rest between beats. Diastolic is the bottom number.
How do I keep a healthy blood pressure level?
Your health care provider will help you find ways to improve your blood pressure and keep it within the numbers that are right for you.
The following lifestyle changes are recommended:
- Eating healthy
- Being active
- Managing your weight
- Measuring your blood pressure
- Being smoke free
- Limiting alcohol as instructed by your healthcare provider
- Taking blood pressure medicines as prescribed
How do I measure my blood pressure at home?
Choose a blood pressure monitor from those recommended by your doctor or Hypertension Canada.
Take your blood pressure when you are sitting down and relaxed. Make sure to:
- Not smoke or drink coffee 30 minutes before
- Rest quietly for about 5 minutes
- Sit comfortably with your feet on the floor, back and arms supported
- Apply cuff on a bare arm that is at about heart level
- Do not talk while your blood pressure is being measured
- Write down my reading
A chart like this one can be used to track your blood pressure, see your progress and manage your blood pressure. You can download and print a chart like the one below.
How often should I measure my blood pressure?
- 2 times in the morning
- 2 times at night
If your doctor gives you different instructions, follow those instead.
Use the Self-Reflection worksheet to create a plan. This will help you to keep your blood pressure in the target area that is right for you.
Having read the information in this section, consider the following questions
- Do I know what my target blood pressure should be?
- Do I know how often my blood pressure should be checked?
- Do I know what I can do to control high blood pressure?
- Do I know how exercise affects my blood pressure?
- Do I know what foods will affect my blood pressure?
- Do I know what my daily sodium (salt) limit should be?
- Do I know if I should be on blood pressure medication?
- Do I have a way to check my blood pressure (for example: my own blood pressure machine or ones at the pharmacy)?