Blood Pressure Defined

BLOOD PRESSURE DEFINED

Blood pressure is the amount of force your blood places on the walls of your blood vessels. It is often written or stated as two numbers.

The first or top number represents the pressure when the heart contracts. This is called systolic pressure. The second or bottom number represents the pressure when the heart rests between beats. This is called diastolic pressure.

MEASURING BLOOD PRESSURE

Blood pressure is traditionally measured with a device called a sphygmomanometer. An inflatable cuff is wrapped around the arm and is inflated to squeeze the blood vessels in the arm. A health care provider uses a stethoscope to listen to the pulse as the pressure is released in order to determine the systolic and diastolic pressure.

HYPERTENSION DEFINED

Blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day. When it consistently stays too high for too long, it is called hypertension. Sometimes people with hypertension experience dull headaches, dizzy spells, and nosebleeds.

Normal blood pressure is a systolic blood pressure of less than 120 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure of less than 80 mmHg.

Prehypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 120–139 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure of 80–89 mmHg. Persons with prehypertension are at increased risk to progress to hypertension.

High blood pressure or hypertension for adults is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher.

THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF HYPERTENSION

High blood pressure is often called the ‘silent killer’ because it usually shows no signs or symptoms until other serious problems arise. High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and kidney disease. The only way to determine if you have high blood pressure and prevent these illnesses is to have your blood pressure checked.

THE CAUSES OF HYPERTENSION

Some forms of high blood pressure are caused by family history, gender, race, ethnicity, underlying medical conditions, pregnancy, and age but most often high blood pressure is caused by lifestyle choices.

PREVENTING HYPERTENSION

High blood pressure can often be prevented or controlled through lifestyle changes. High blood pressure can be prevented and better managed by:

Losing weight if you are overweight.
Increasing the amount of exercise you get to three times per week or more.
Eating a balanced diet including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and lean meats
Reducing your intake of caffeine.
Reducing your intake of salt.
Relaxing and coping with stress.
Quitting smoking.
Minimizing alcohol consumption.
Seeking out regular medical screenings.
Taking blood pressure medication as prescribed by your medical provider.

BLOOD PRESSURE RECORD

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HYPERTENSION

FillmoreCounty Public Health

902 Houston Street NW, Suite 2

Preston, MN 55965-0580

507-765-3898

FILLMORE COUNTY BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC SCHEDULE

DATE TIME / LOCATION
Every Monday 1:00-3:00 / Fillmore County Public Health 902 Houston Street NW Preston, MN 55965
1st Tuesday 10:00-10:30 / Sylvan Manor 503 Parkway Avenue Lanesboro, MN 55949
1st Tuesday 10:30-11:00 / Kenilworth Apartments
503 Parkway Avenue
Lanesboro, MN 55949
1st Wednesday 9:30-10:00 / Hillside Apartments 409 South Hudson Avenue Spring Valley, MN 55975
1st Wednesday 10:45-11:15 / Community Center 200 South Broadway Avenue Spring Valley, MN 55975
1st Thursday 10:00-10:30 / Good Shepherd Apartment Community Center
800 Home Street
Rushford, MN 55971
1st Thursday 10:45-11:15 / Tenborg Center
113 East Jessie Street
Rushford, MN 55971
1st Friday 10:00-10:30 / South Manor 445 Main Avenue South Harmony, MN 55939
2nd Monday 10:00-10:30 / Cherrywood Estates
101 & 105 Cherrywood Drive
Mabel, MN 55954
2nd Monday 10:30-11:15 / Fire Hall 109 North Elm
Mabel, MN 55954

FILLMORE COUNTY BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC SCHEDULE

DATE TIME / LOCATION
Every Monday 1:00-3:00 / Fillmore County Public Health 902 Houston Street NW Preston, MN 55965
1st Tuesday 10:00-10:30 / Sylvan Manor 503 Parkway Avenue Lanesboro, MN 55949
1st Tuesday 10:30 -11:00 / Kenilworth Apartments
503 Parkway Avenue
Lanesboro, MN 55949
1st Wednesday 9:30-10:00 / Hillside Apartments 409 South Hudson Avenue Spring Valley, MN 55975
1st Wednesday 10:45-11:15 / Community Center 200 South Broadway Avenue Spring Valley, MN 55975
1st Thursday 10:00-10:30 / Good Shepherd Apartment Community Center
800 Home Street
Rushford, MN 55971
1st Thursday 10:4 -11:15 / Tenborg Center
113 East Jessie Street
Rushford, MN 55971
1st Friday 10:00-10:30 / South Manor 445 Main Avenue South Harmony, MN 55939
2nd Monday10:00-10:30 / Cherrywood Estates
101 & 105 Cherrywood Drive
Mabel, MN 55954
2nd Monday 10:30-11:15 / Fire Hall 109 North Elm
Mabel, MN 55954

FILLMORE COUNTY BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC SCHEDULE

All clinics are free and open to the public. Clinics are held on the dates provided unless a holiday occurs on that date or the weather is inclement. No rescheduling will take place.

2nd Thursday 9:30-10:30 / Wykoff City Hall
217 Gold Street North
Wykoff, MN 55990
3rd Tuesday 10:00-10:30 / Lakewood Apartments
420 Bench Street Southwest
Chatfield, MN 55923

All clinics are free and open to the public. Clinics are held on the dates provided unless a holiday occurs on that date or the weather is inclement. No rescheduling will take place.

2nd Thursday 9:30-10:30 / Wykoff City Hall
217 Gold Street North
Wykoff, MN 55990
3rd Tuesday 10:00-10:30 / Lakewood Apartments
420 Bench Street Southwest
Chatfield, MN 55923

All clinics are free and open to the public. Clinics are held on the dates provided unless a holiday occurs on that date or the weather is inclement. No rescheduling will take place.