Blood Pressure Page
You must be a member of the Centre to use our services
Hours - Winter:  9 AM to 3 PM   Summer: 10 AM to 2 PM
Get Your Blood Pressure Checked
Former Registered nurses with recent Public health experience provide a special service at the Centre by taking and recording readings. You should participate and review what follows below.
Each Month Sessions are held:    
The 1st Thursday of the month
and 2nd and 3rd Fridays of the month
All at 11:00 AM at the Centre

How do I prepare for a blood pressure test?                        Why is high blood pressure a concern?
•  Don't drink coffee or smoke cigarettes 30 minutes before having your blood pressure measured.
•  Before the test, sit for five minutes with your back supported and your feet flat on the ground. Rest your arm on a table at the level of your heart.
•  Wear short sleeves so your arm is exposed.
•  Go to the bathroom prior to the reading. A full bladder can change your blood pressure reading.
•  Have two readings, taken at least two minutes apart, and average the results.
•  Ask the  nurse to tell you the blood pressure reading in numbers.
Over time, increased pressure in your arteries can damage your arteries, which can lead to serious health problems down the road. High blood pressure increases your chance (or risk) for getting heart disease and/or kidney disease, and for having a stroke. It is especially dangerous because it often has no warning signs or symptoms.
Regardless of race, age, or gender, anyone can develop high blood pressure. It is estimated that one in every four American adults has high blood pressure. Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime.

Category

Systolic reading* (mmHg)

 

Diastolic reading* (mmHg)

Management

Normal

less than 120

and

less than 80

Lifestyle modification encouraged

Indications for drug therapy

 

Prehypertension

120-139

or

80-89

Definitive modifications

Drug therapy not indicated unless compelling indication* exists.

 

Hypertension
Stage 1

140-159

or

90-99

Definitive modifications

Drug therapy indicated. Compelling indications have specific medications.

 

Hypertension
Stage 2

greater than 160

or

greater than 100

Definitive modifications

Drug therapy indicated. Compelling indications have specific medications.

 

*Compelling indications are high-risk situations such as CHF, MI, CHD, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke. Patients with chronic kidney disease or diabetes are treated to BP goal of less than 130/80 mm Hg.