Blood Pressure Monitoring

BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, and is one of the principle vital signs.

Blood pressure is expressed in terms of the systolic pressure (when the heart contracts and forces blood through the vessels) over the diastolic pressure (when the heart relaxes). Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg), and should be around 120-130 mmHg over 80-85 mmHg.

Persistent high blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysms, and is the leading cause of chronic renal failure.

Even moderate elevation of arterial pressure leads to shortened life expectancy. At severely high pressures (average pressures 50% or more above normal) a person can expect to live no more than a few years unless appropriately treated.

We offer free blood pressure monitoring at Watson’s Friendly Pharmacy. Come in and speak to one of our team members to have your blood pressure checked today.