HELP ME CHANGE
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force that circulates blood through arteries into your organs and muscles. It’s expressed in two measurements: Systolic pressure (as your heart beats) and diastolic pressure (as your heart rests). See the chart below for recommended blood pressure levels.
Nearly one in three adults in the U.S. has high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart disease or kidney failure. It’s called the silent killer because there are no symptoms. The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked.
In children, blood pressure should be checked periodically beginning at age three. After age 21, have your blood pressure checked every two years, more often if you have had high blood pressure in the past.
Controlling high blood pressure is a lifelong commitment. You may need to make lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease, and, if these changes don’t work, you may also need to take medicine.
For adults:
| Blood Pressure Category | Systolic (mm Hg) | Diastolic (mm Hg) | |
| Normal | less than 120 | and | less than 80 |
| Prehypertension | 120-139 | or | 80-89 |
| High | |||
| Stage 1 | 140-159 | or | 90-99 |
| Stage 2 | 160 or higher | or | 100 or higher |
American Heart Association
www.americanheart.org
American Academy of Pediatricians
www.aap.org
www.kidsgrowth.com
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