Get Your Blood Pressure Checked

Check your blood pressure at least every 2 years starting at age 18. It’s important to check your blood pressure often, especially if you are over 40 years old.

High blood pressure has no signs or symptoms. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get tested.

What Happens When You Test Your Blood Pressure?
To test your blood pressure, the nurse or machine will put a cuff over your upper arm and squeeze it. It only takes a few seconds.

What do the Numbers Mean?
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers.

• Normal blood pressure is 120/80 (said “120 over 80”).
• High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher.

The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension. If you have high blood pressure, you may need treatment.

Am I at Risk?
1 in 3 Americans has high blood pressure. Most Americans over 40 years old need to be concerned about high blood pressure.

You may be at extra risk for high blood pressure if you:

• Are overweight
• Have a family history of high blood pressure
• Eat foods high in salt
• Don't exercise regularly
• Smoke
• Drink a lot of alcohol (more than 2 drinks a day for men or 1 drink a day for women)

By taking steps to lower your blood pressure, you can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Lowering your blood pressure can also help you live a longer, healthier life.

What if I Have High Blood Pressure?
You can lower your blood pressure by eating healthy foods and getting active. Losing just 10 pounds can lower your blood pressure by several points.

Some people may need medication to control their blood pressure. Print out this list of questions to ask your doctor about high blood pressure.

To learn more about managing high blood pressure, visit this Web site:

• Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure

Find out your blood pressure as early as possible. If you have high blood pressure, take steps to protect your health.

Check Your Blood Pressure Regularly
Many shopping malls, pharmacies, and grocery stores have blood pressure machines you can use. Most of these machines do not cost any money. Or you can visit a doctor.

Print this tool to keep track of your blood pressure readings. [PDF - 679 KB]

Eat Healthy
Changing your diet, especially by eating less sodium (salt), can lower your blood pressure.

Start at the grocery store by choosing foods that are low in sodium. Look for labels on foods that say low sodium or no salt added.

Check out these tips for making healthier meals.

Get Active
Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of high blood pressure. Aim for 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate activity, such as:

• Walking fast
• Raking leaves
• Aerobics

Quit Smoking
Smoking increases your chance of having high blood pressure. Learn how you can quit – for good.

Drink Alcohol Only in Moderation
If you drink alcohol, limit your drinking to no more than two drinks a day for men or one drink a day for women.

Learn how blood pressure relates to heart disease.

What do you want to do today?

Limit your alcohol intake to no more than one drink today.

Eat fresh fruit for dessert.

Watch this video to learn how to monitor your own blood pressure.

Send an e-card to encourage a friend or family member to stay healthy.

Find out which pharmacies or grocery stores near you have a blood pressure machine.

Remove the salt shaker from your table.

Learn more about how to get active and eat healthy to lower blood pressure.

Note:  Documents in PDF format require the Adobe Acrobat Reader®.
If you experience problems with PDF documents, please download the latest version of the Reader®.