Moderate-intensity physical activity (energetic activity that doesn’t make you overly breathless), such as brisk walking or cycling, is enough to provide health benefits. Physical activity is any form of bodily movement performed by our large muscle groups. This can be done in bouts of 10 minutes or longer, if that is more convenient. Try to do at least 30 to 45 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week. – Build up your levels of activity gradually. High blood pressure and daily activityĬheck with your doctor before starting a new activity or increasing your level or intensity. Some people may also need medicine to manage high blood pressure, but it is still important for them to make lifestyle changes too.
What is considered a healthy blood pressure varies from person to person. Your doctor may also recommend that you measure your blood pressure at home or have a 24-hour recording with a monitoring device. If a reading is high, your doctor may measure your blood pressure again on several separate occasions to confirm the level. Your blood pressure changes to meet your body’s needs. Both are measured in units called millimetres of mercury (mmHg). This is called the diastolic blood pressure. The lower number indicates the pressure as the heart relaxes before the next beat. This is called the systolic blood pressure. The larger number indicates the pressure in the arteries as the heart pumps out blood during each beat.
(This cuff is part of a machine called a sphygmomanometer.)īlood pressure is recorded as two numbers, such as 120/80. Blood pressure is usually measured by wrapping an inflatable pressure cuff around your upper arm. It is best to measure blood pressure when you are relaxed and sitting. The medical name for persistently high blood pressure is hypertension and the medical name for low blood pressure is hypotension.
If blood pressure remains high, it can lead to serious problems like heart attack, stroke, heart failure or kidney disease. It is affected by various factors, including body position, breathing, emotional state, exercise and sleep. Blood pressure does not stay the same all the time. Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood in the arteries as it is pumped around the body by the heart.