By Blair Smith, Corporate Fitness
World Health day is April 7th, 2013 and this year’s theme is high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the measure of force placed against the arteries and is typically recorded as two numbers. Systolic is the top number, which measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart muscle contracts. Diastolic is the bottom number, which is the lower of the two numbers and measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart muscle is resting between beats.
Included is a chart that portrays the different blood pressure categories according to the American Heart Association.
It is recommended to start having your blood pressure checked regularly at age 20 to make sure it is healthy (less than 120 and less than 80). As blood pressure begins to increase, the heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body due to stiffness or blockages in the artery. The risks of consistent high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can be life threatening. Hypertension increases the chance of having a stroke or heart attack, so it is very important to seek the proper medical attention. Some ways to prevent high blood pressure include reducing salt intake, eating a balanced diet, avoiding harmful use of alcohol, maintaining a healthy body weight and avoiding tobacco use.
A sedentary lifestyle is considered a major risk factor for high blood pressure as well as heart disease. Regular exercise can strengthen your heart and cardiovascular system, improve circulation, help the body use oxygen efficiently, improve symptoms of heart failure and increase energy levels. These are just some of the ways exercise can lower high blood pressure and improve overall health.
It is important to have your blood pressure checked during regular visits to the doctor’s office or at health screenings. A person with high blood pressure (stage 2: 160 or high and 100 or higher), should check their blood pressure every day and work closely with their doctor to monitor their health.
The main goal of World Health Day 2013 is to reduce heart attacks and strokes. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of high blood pressure, provide information on how to prevent high blood pressure, encourage self-care, and make blood pressure measurements more accessible and affordable for all.
References:
“Exercising When You Have High Blood Pressure.” WebMD. WebMD, 1 Jan. 2013. Web. 22 Mar. 2013. http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/safe-exercise-tips
“Understanding Blood Pressure Readings.” Understanding Blood Pressure Readings. American Heart Association, 2013. Web. 22 Mar. 2013. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/AboutHighBloodPressure/Understanding-Blood-Pressure-Readings_UCM_301764_Article.jsp
“World Health Day – 7 April 2013.” WHO. World Health Day Organization, 2013. Web. 22 Mar. 2013. http://www.who.int/world-health-day/en/
About the Author:
Blair Smith graduated with a B.A. in Kinesiology from Saint Mary’s College of California, where she later returned to earn her Masters in the same field. Blair’s experience and interest includes fitness assessments, exercise prescription and helping clients to reach their fitness and health goals. Blair strives to create a positive, supportive and healthy fitness environment for her clients.
