WHAT IS BLOOD PRESSURE?
Blood pressure relates to blood moving around the body and as it moves it pushes against the sides of the blood vessels. The strength of this pushing is your blood pressure.
WHY IS YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE IMPORTANT?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the single most common contributor to cardiovascular death, stroke, heart attacks, heart failure and end stage kidney disease. In Europe approximately 1 in 3 of the adult population has high blood pressure. In the Irish Construction Industry approx 2 in 3 men have above normal blood pressure.
With regard to Low Blood Pressure, known as hypotension,; if blood pressure drops too low, it can restrict the amount of blood flowing to your brain and other vital organs, which can cause fainting or dizziness and light headedness.
The only way to know whether you have high blood pressure is to have it measured.
This table opposite shows the classification of blood pressure for adults who are 18 years and older.
|
Blood Pressure Category |
Systolic, mmHg |
Diastolic, mmHg |
|---|---|---|
|
Hypotension |
< 90 |
< 60 |
|
Desired |
90–119 |
60–79 |
|
Prehypertension |
120–139 |
80–89 |
|
Stage 1 Hypertension |
140–159 |
90–99 |
|
Stage 2 Hypertension |
160–179 |
100–109 |
|
Hypertensive Crisis |
≥ 180 |
≥ 110 |
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Having your blood pressure tested is quick and easy. The screening nurse will use an electronic cuff that fits around your upper arm and is inflated so that it becomes tight.
The test is quick and painless, and most people will have experienced it before. Occasionally it is necessary to test a patient on both arms, or sometimes the nurse will ask a worker to come back later to repeat the test.
Depending on the results, we may recommend you to see your GP for a further assessment
