Heart Disease

What Your Blood Pressure Says About Your Health

Summary & Participants

Knowing your blood pressure is the first step towards keeping it in the healthy zone.

Medically Reviewed On: July 21, 2009

Webcast Transcript

ANNOUNCER: Checking your blood pressure is the first step towards keeping it under control. But what exactly do those numbers measure?

Nieca Goldberg, MD, American Heart Association Spokesperson: The systolic blood pressure, or the top number, is the pressure at which the heart pumps blood out to the rest of your body. The bottom number, the diastolic blood pressure, is the blood pressure when the heart is relaxing

ANNOUNCER: It’s also important to know what those numbers mean. A consistent reading of 120 over 80 now means you are prehypertensive - and at greater risk for heart disease - although until recently that was considered normal. The good news is changes in lifestyle can help to bring those numbers down.

Nieca Goldberg, MD, American Heart Association Spokesperson: There was actually a study that looked at a diet with fruits and vegetables, at least five servings day, low-fat dairy products, reduced salt, and they found that you could lower blood pressure. Exercise improves the flexibility of your blood vessels so they relax quicker. It also lowers your heart rate, and it makes your body a more efficient machine.

ANNOUNCER: Of course, smoking is a no-no, and alcohol should only be enjoyed in moderation. Getting enough sleep and reducing stress can also help keep your numbers in the healthy range.

Nieca Goldberg, MD, American Heart Association Spokesperson: If you’re chronically stressed, you are more likely to have high blood pressure, and so that we need to add things like meditation, yoga, regular aerobic exercise, whatever it is to reduce stress.

ANNOUNCER: Even with lifestyle changes, many people will need medication to control blood pressure. If you do - it’s important to stick to it.

Nieca Goldberg, MD, American Heart Association Spokesperson: If you’re uncomfortable about starting medicine, talk to your doctor about it. Find out why it’s important for you to be on the medication. It may help you make your decision to take your medicine regularly.

ANNOUNCER: Thanks for joining us on today’s Once Daily.