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| | Blood pressure explained |
 | Blood
pressure is the force that blood exerts on the arteries. This force is constantly
changing as the heart beats. When the heart contracts, blood pressure reaches
its highest value. This is called systolic blood pressure. When the heart relaxes
between beats, the value of blood pressure is lower. This is called the diastolic
blood pressure. The unit of measure for blood pressure is the millimeter of mercury,
abbreviated mmHg. | 
| | For
example, an individual' blood pressure may be measured as 120 mmHg (systolic)
and 80 mmHg (diastolic). This would be referred to as 120 over 80.
Optimal
blood pressure, the level associated with the lowest cardiovascular risk, is less
than 120/80.
Remember that blood pressure varies throughout the day.
Food intakes, smoking, time of day, stress, level of exercise are all factors
that can affect it. |
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| | What is high blood
pressure? |
| Hypertension,
or high blood pressure, is a condition where an individual's blood pressure remains
elevated over a period of time. Because there are no outward symptoms, the only
way to detect hypertension is to have your blood pressure measured. |
| Hypertension
can lead to other serious health problems, possibly even death, which is why it
is referred to as a "silent killer". Hypertension has no specific symptoms. Dizziness,
nervousness, nosebleeds or headaches are rarely indicators of hypertension. |
| Hypertension
can be a deadly condition. People who have untreated hypertension are much more
likely to die from or be disabled by cardiovascular complications such as strokes,
heart attacks, heart failure, heart rhythm irregularities, and kidney failure
through hardening arteries or forming thrombus than those with normal blood pressure.
To control hypertension, the American Heart Association recommends that you do
not smoke, reduce fat and salt intake, maintain proper weight, exercise and get
regular physical check-ups. | | | |
| |
Contact:
Gloria Wang
Salse Representative
Medical Technology Div.
Formosa Biomedical Technology Corp.
gloriawang@fpg.com.tw
http://www.fbc.com.tw
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