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common disorders affecting the heart Blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure in the walls
of bigger blood vessels called arteries.
and blood vessels.
High blood pressure is also called hypertension. It can be very
Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait dangerous if left untreated.
Islander peoples have high blood
pressure but do not know it. What is normal blood pressure?
It is important to ask your doctor, nurse Blood pressure varies from moment to moment. It is
affected by many factors including breathing, body
or Aboriginal Health Worker to check
position, emotional state, exercise, sleep, medicines
your blood pressure. and alcohol (grog).
Normal blood pressure is less than 130/85 mmHg. Talk with
your doctor about what your blood pressure should be.
You need more than one high reading to confirm you have
high blood pressure.
What causes high blood pressure? How to help prevent or manage high
F amily history blood pressure
B
eing overweight
Stop smoking
P
oor diet
Eat healthy foods
Too much salt
Reduce your salt intake
D
rinking too much alcohol (grog)
Drink less alcohol (grog)
N
ot exercising
Maintain a healthy weight
C
igarette smoking
Increase physical activity aim for 30 minutes or more
K
idney problems of moderate intensity physical activity every day of the
week
What are the risks of high H
ave your blood pressure checked regularly
blood pressure? Take your medications as directed by your doctor
Visit your health worker, Aboriginal Medical Service or
H
eart disease doctor and get your blood pressure checked today.
Heart failure
S troke
K
idney disease or failure
E ye problems