Blood Pressure

Actual: _________________ mm/Hg
Ideal: 130/85 or lower

My goal is: ______________

A blood pressure reading has two numbers.

The top number is called systolic blood pressure. This is the amount of pressure against the blood vessel walls when your heart pumps.

The bottom number is called diastolic blood pressure. This is the amount of pressure against the blood vessel walls when your heart relaxes, that is, between heart beats.

In general, high blood pressure means that systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure or both may be too high. For people with diabetes, high blood pressure is 130/85 or higher. High blood pressure increases your risk for strokes, heart attacks, kidney damage and eye disease.

To lower your blood pressure you can:
  • Eat less salt,
  • Take blood pressure medicine,
  • Exercise,
  • Stop smoking,
  • Monitor blood pressure,
  • Drink less alcohol,
  • Maintain reasonable weight,
  • Other: _________________________________