Listen to your heart. Why you need to monitor your blood pressure, even if everything seems to be in order

Why is it important to know your blood pressure?

High blood pressure increasesHypertension / WHO the risk of developing diseases of the heart, brain, kidneys. At the same time, a person may not even be aware of his condition, because hypertension is often leaksHypertension / WHO asymptomatic. In other cases, they may ariseHypertension / WHO headache, tinnitus, nosebleeds and blurred vision.

The optimal pressure is 120/80, the norm consideredSo that the heart does not hurt: what is the danger of arterial hypertension and how to avoid it / National projects of Russia indicators up to 129/84. hypertension diagnoseHypertension / WHOwhen a person had a blood pressure of 140/90 and higher twice on different days. With such indicators growsSo that the heart does not hurt: what is the danger of arterial hypertension and how to avoid it / National projects of Russia the likelihood of stroke and coronary heart disease, as well as cognitive impairment such as dementia. The level of pressure can change throughout life, so even if a person feels good, he should measure the indicators several times a year.

Why pressure deviates from the norm

Many risk factorsHypertension / WHO, such as old age, heredity, diabetes mellitus and kidney disease, cannot or is very difficult to control. But a person can influence some reasons. For example, they can increase pressure driveHypertension / WHO malnutrition, alcohol and nicotine abuse. The development of hypertension can be accelerated by excessive love for salty and fried foods and a lack of vegetables and fruits in the diet. In addition, lack of exercise and overweight negatively affect the health of the cardiovascular system - it is desirable that the body mass index did not exceedObesity and overweight / WHO 25.

Some people experience low blood pressure. Such a state may ariseHypotension / Russian Red Cross with excessive physical exertion, emotional upheaval and eating disorders - for example, during starvation and mono-diets, which involve the use of one product. In addition, low blood pressure occurs in diabetics due to a sharp drop in blood glucose levels.

How to measure indicators correctly

The diagnosis of hypertension is made by a specialist. But you can deal with your condition at home. In order for the indicators to be accurate, you need to follow a few simple rulesHow to measure pressure correctly / Healthy Lifestyle Portal of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation:

• Use a blood pressure monitor with a shoulder cuff. It is more accurate than devices on the wrist or finger. The cuff should be at the level of the heart.
• Measure pressure at rest. Best in the morning before breakfast and exercise. Before starting the measurement, it is advisable to sit for five minutes.
• Choose a comfortable position. Pressure should be measured while sitting, putting your hand on the table and opening your palm. The back muscles should not be tense. It is undesirable to cross your legs or talk.

To track the dynamics of pressure, it is important to keep a diary. Specialists for people with hypertension recommendSo that the heart does not hurt: what is the danger of arterial hypertension and how to avoid it / National projects of Russia take two or three measurements on each arm with an interval of several minutes and record the average. If the pressure on different hands differs by more than 20 mm Hg, it is advisable to check the condition of the vessels.

What to do to prevent disease

The most important step is to change your lifestyle.

• Review your diet. You need to consume no more than 5 grams saltHypertension / WHO a day, do not get carried away with food high in saturated fat and increase the number of vegetables and fruits in the menu.
• Avoid alcohol and nicotine. smoking several times increasesOn the prevention of arterial hypertension / Healthy Lifestyle Portal of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke in people with hypertension. And alcohol is often incompatible with high blood pressure medications.
• Move more. Reduce pressure helpOn the prevention of arterial hypertension / Healthy Lifestyle Portal of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation aerobic exercise such as brisk walking and swimming. But at the computer or at the TV screen you need to spend less time.
• Watch your weight. People who are overweight tend to be more get sickOn the prevention of arterial hypertension / Healthy Lifestyle Portal of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation hypertension than those with a normal BMI.
• Control your stress levels.NecessaryHow to beat stress / Portal about a healthy lifestyle of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation get enough sleep, plan your working day and allocate time for activities that bring positive emotions - chatting with friends, reading, walking in nature.