Blood Pressure Levels

Healthy Blood Pressure Levels

Blood pressure is actually the amount of force needed to push your blood to all parts of your body. It is measured at two times – when the heart is beating and when it is relaxed between beats. The first number is called the systolic pressure (working pressure) and the second is called the diastolic pressure (resting pressure). They are measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg).

Canadian guidelines recommend that everyone’s blood pressure should be kept below 140/90 mm Hg. However, people with diabetes or chronic kidney disease should aim to keep their blood pressure even lower – below 130/80 mm Hg.