So what’s all the fuss about blood pressure and what do you want it to be?
Well normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. What do these numbers mean? The top number is your systolic blood pressure or the pressure exerted on your artery walls when the heart contracts. The bottom number is your diastolic blood pressure or the pressure exerted on your artery walls when the heart is in-between beats. Together these measurements make up the constant pressure on your arterial walls. Why is this important? Consistent high blood pressure can damage arteries and cause lesions to form. High pressure within the arteries can cause lesions or chunks of plaque to break off which can form clots and cause heart attacks and strokes. So now we know why it’s important to keep BP in the normal range. If your blood pressure is 120-139 over 80-89 on a consistent basis, you are considered pre-hypertensive. If your blood pressure is above 140 or 90 consistently you are considered hypertensive and should consult with your doctor about how to address this.
As a service to the Ithaca College community, the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences conducts frequent blood pressure screenings and we call it No Pressure Blood Pressure. Our students visit all work areas on campus and ask everyone they see if they would like to have their blood pressure checked. No pressure - you can say no if you’re not interested, but we recommend you take two minutes to check and see where you stand.
In our last screening we were able to reach 206 Ithaca College employees and we are pleased to announce that 75% of those screened have normal blood pressure readings. 22% have readings considered pre-hypertensive and only 3% were hypertensive.
The next No Pressure Blood Pressure screening will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. See below to know when to expect students in your building.
8:00-9:00: Center for Health Sciences, Smiddy Hall, Peggy Ryan Williams Center, Ceracche Center
9:00-10:00: Physical Plant, General Services, Public Safety
10:00-11:00: Hill Center, Gannett Center, Whalen Center
11:00-noon: Dillingham Center, Friends Hall, Job Hall
Noon-1:00: Campus Center, Hammond Health Center, Fitness Center
1:00-2:00: Textor Hall, Muller Faculty Center, Bookstore, Williams Hall
2:00-3:00: Center for Natural Sciences, Park Hall, Administrative Annex
3:00-4:00: Towers, Terraces, Alumni Hall
No pressure!
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20091023115008955