Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can put you at risk for heart disease, heart attack, or stroke. Even if you feel healthy, you could have hypertension because it generally doesn’t cause symptoms.
There’s only one way
to know if you have
hypertension
Get your blood pressure checked. It’s quick and painless. And it could save your life.
Schedule an appointment today to have your blood pressure checked.
Every time you see a health care provider, one of the first things they do is check your blood pressure. And if you’re like most people, the numbers you hear mean absolutely nothing to you. But your “BP” really does matter, as it is one of the most obvious indicators of your risk for heart disease.
BLOOD PRESSURE
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against your artery walls. It is measured in two numbers:
NORMAL
HIGH-NORMAL
HIGH
SYSTOLIC (Top Number)
Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure.
DIASTOLIC (Bottom Number)
When your heart is at rest, between beats, blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure.
Less than 120
Less than 80
120 – 139
81 – 89
More than 140
More than 90
High blood pressure has no symptoms. In fact, many types of heart disease don’t. So, the only way to know your risk is to have regular blood pressure checks – which is why it’s taken at every appointment.
SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK
How do you know if you’re experiencing a heart attack? It’s important to know the symptoms so you can take action immediately for yourself or someone else.
The average heart is the size of your two hands clasped together.
Your heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood every day.
Every cell in the body gets blood from the heart, except for the corneas.
More heart attacks happen on a Monday than any other day of the week.
Your heart beats over 100,000 times per day.
During exercise, your heart beats faster so that more blood gets out to your body.
FUN FACTS ABOUT THE HEART
Your heart is a vital organ. It is a muscle that pumps blood to all parts of your body. The blood pumped by your heart provides your body with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function.
Click on the hearts in the image to learn some fun facts about the heart.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE
Be smoke-free
Eat better
Get active
Maintain a healthy weight
Know and control blood pressure
Limit alcohol use
Control cholesterol
Reduce blood sugar
Reduce stress
See a health care provider regularly
If you have questions about your heart health, log in to MyChart or call your QuadMed health center to make an appointment.
Happens when the arteries in the heart are narrowed or blocked. It’s the most common kind of heart disease and causes most heart attacks as well as chest pain.
Heart Failure
Typically caused by heart attack or high blood pressure, heart failure develops after the heart is damaged or weakened. There is no cure, but risk can be managed through lifestyle changes.
Heart Arrhythmias
Heart rhythm disorders, or arrhythmias, cause the heart to beat irregularly – either too slowly, too quicky or in a disorganized fashion. Often have no symptoms or warning signs.
Heart Valve Disease
Occurs when one or more of the heart’s four valves are no longer able to open or close properly, causing blood flow to the heart to become disrupted.
Heart Attack
Occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is blocked. This blockage is often due to a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances which form plaque in the arteries that feed the heart.
Hypertension
More commonly referred to as high blood pressure, hypertension occurs when the force of blood against the artery walls is too high, which can cause heart disease and stroke.
MyChart allows you to schedule and start a virtual visit with a QuadMed health care provider. It also provides additional features that help you to manage your health completely online.
Click the buttons below to log in or to sign up if you don’t already have an account.