financialservices insurance aviva-medical-insurance 7801127 ----- # Blood pressure readings - medical insurance from Telegraph ## Ever had that '180 over 90' reading and wondered what it meant? Find out what happens when you get key readings taken at the GP's surgery - and why they're so important. ![Regular exercise is a great way to combat high blood pressure. ][1] Regular exercise is a great way to combat high blood pressure. 4:59PM BST 03 Jun 2010 Having you blood pressure taken is a pain-free process, and it's something you should do regularly. Your GP or practice nurse can do it in just a few minutes, usually with a wrap-around cuff that fits around your upper arm. The readings are given in millimetres of mercury - mmHG. Two measurements are taken: • Systolic pressure - this first reading finds out the pressure exerted when your heart beats to push blood around the body. • Diastolic pressure - this second reading shows the pressure while the heart is at rest - between beats. The readings are used to advise you whether your pressure is within normal limits or if you need to take some action. Think of it as one factor to consider along with other risks such as smoking habits, other illnesses, your height and weight. ## Related Articles * [Aviva Healthier Solutions][2] 04 Jun 2010 * [MyHealthCounts: helping you stay healthy][3] 04 Jun 2010 * [Staying healthy with Telegraph][4] 04 Jun 2010 * [How to stop smoking - medical insurance from Telegraph][5] 03 Jun 2010 * [Coping with stress][6] 03 Jun 2010 * [Flu virus facts][7] 03 Jun 2010 High blood pressure If your pressure is too high, it's known as 'hypertension' - and diet change, more exercise or drugs may be needed to help lower it. Your GP will give you the best advice. **What does 'hypertension' mean? ** If your blood pressure is too high, it's called hypertension. It means that your blood flow is putting abnormal pressure on your arteries and circulation. This can increase the risk of developing heart disease or suffering a stroke. It can also create problems for other organs the kidneys in particular. **How can we reduce hypertension?** Simple lifestyle changes can help you to reduce hypertension. Always check with your GP before making changes to your normal diet or exercise plan. • Get some regular exercise - try building up to 30 minutes a day, five times a week. • Control your alcohol intake - drink no more than the recommended amounts (less than 21 units per week for men, less than 14 units per week for women). • Eat a balanced, low-fat diet of healthy foods - include plenty of fruit and vegetables. • Cut down on salt - try to eat less than 6g (one teaspoon) a day. • Limit your caffeine intake - aim for fewer than five cups of tea or coffee a day. • Relax - try some relaxation therapies or meditation. [X][8] Share & bookmark Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! 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