20090912 -- Understanding Your Blood Pressure (1)

Understanding Your Blood Pressure

Find out what your blood pressure numbers really mean

You go for a doctor's visit. When you see the doctor, a nurse wraps a blood pressure cuff around your arm. The cuff squeezes your arm and gives the nurse two numbers. These numbers are your blood pressure.

Both numbers measure the amount of pressure placed on the inside of your blood vessels. The top number measures the pressure while your heart is pumping. And the bottom number measure the amount of pressure while your heart is resting between beats.

What those numbers!
In adults, healthy blood pressure numbers should be 120/80 or less. These numbers show that blood moves easily through your body at the right rate. High blood pressure begins at 140/90, putting you at risk for heart disease. The higher your blood pressure, the greater the risk.

Keep it low
In order to prevent high blood pressure, you should maintain a healthy weight. Exercise regularly and eat healthy foods. Don't eat too much salt, and avoid alcohol and cigaretees. By doing these simple things, you should pass your blood pressure test with flying colors.


blood pressure n. 血壓
eg: My dad takes medicine because his blood pressure is too high.

cigarette n. 香菸
eg: Ricky started smoking cigarettes when he was only 15.

disease n. 疾病
eg: Dan has the same disease that his father and uncle both had.

pass with flying colors 輕鬆通過(考試或測試)
eg: If you begin studying for your exam now, you should pass with flying colors.