Why Measuring Blood Pressure is Important

 

Blood pressure is an extremely important part of measuring your overall health. Having high or low blood pressure can affect many different aspects of your health.

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood passing through the circulatory system. When reading someone’s blood pressure, two numbers are displayed: systolic and diastolic. The systolic number, the top number, is the pressure when you heart pumps blood. The diastolic number, the bottom number, is the number that shows the pressure of the blood when your heart rests in between beats.

What Can your Results Tell You?

Your blood pressure results can say a lot about your overall health. If your blood pressure is not normal, then it is either high or low. These two types of blood pressure have very different impacts on your health.

Low Blood Pressure
Low Blood Pressure means that your heart is pumping blood slower than the average person. This can result in dizziness or lightheadedness.

High Blood Pressure
According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, High Blood Pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke and a risk factor for Heart Disease.

Should I Check My Blood Pressure?

Checking your blood pressure is a simple process. It is extremely important to check because having a blood pressure that is abnormal often comes without symptoms. It is recommended that you visit a doctor at least once a year to have your blood pressure checked. If you have high or low blood pressure, your physician may recommend that you keep a blood pressure monitor at home to monitor your blood pressure more often.

How Do I Check My Blood Pressure?

Blood Pressure is checked by a blood pressure monitor. This machine uses an inflatable cuff that is placed over the user’s arm. The cuff is then inflated and records the pressure of the blood flow.

If you don’t own your own blood pressure monitor, the team at ADAPT can help! We offer in-store blood pressure checks and also sell blood pressure monitors. If you choose to purchase a blood pressure monitor, our staff will be happy to help teach you how to use the unit and read the results. ADAPT Home Health Care is your one-stop-shop for all your home health care product needs! Call or visit us at one of our three locations in the Greater Toronto Area or visit our website!