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Overview of Cardiovascular Disease
Managing Cholesterol
Managing Blood Pressure
Role of Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure Levels
Blood Pressure Recommendations
Medication Therapies for Hypertension
Blood Pressure FAQ
Blood Pressure Quiz
Managing Diabetes
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Blood Pressure Levels
Healthy Blood Pressure Levels
Blood pressure is actually the amount of force needed to push your blood to all parts of your body. It is measured at two times – when the heart is beating and when it is relaxed between beats. The first number is called the systolic pressure (working pressure) and the second is called the diastolic pressure (resting pressure). They are measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg).
140 / 80
Pressure on the blood
vessels when the heart is
beating Pressure on the blood
vessels when the heart is
relaxing
Canadian guidelines recommend that everyone’s blood pressure should be kept below 140/90 mm Hg. However, people with diabetes or chronic kidney disease should aim to keep their blood pressure even lower – below 130/80 mm Hg.
