Have you wondered what the two blood pressure numbers mean? The top number is called systolic and lower number is call diastolic  blood pressure. Knowing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure numbers is can save your life.

When your heart beats, blood pressure increase. This force creates pressure on the arteries. This is called systolic blood pressure. Between beats,  your diastolic pressure is measured.   

A normal systolic blood pressure is below 120.

A systolic blood pressure of 120 to 139 means you have prehypertension, or borderline high blood pressure. Even people with prehypertension are at a higher risk of developing heart disease.

A systolic blood pressure number of 140 or higher is considered to be hypertension, or high blood pressure.

The diastolic blood pressure number or the bottom number indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.

A normal diastolic blood pressure number is less than 80.

And remember:  high blood pressure is one risk factor for a heart attack or stroke.   It will double your risks.  Add another risk factor like diabetes, high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease, and you quadruple your risk. With 3 risk factors,  you increase your risks tenfold.  But also note that 82% of the risks are controllable through a healthier lifestyle. 

The Kardea Gourmet provides great review of utilizing the power of nutrition to managing your unique risk factors.