How do you know if your blood pressure is too high or too low, if your cholesterol is within a healthy range, or whether you are actually overweight? Knowing the numbers of key health measures can help you to know if you need to make some changes for the benefit of your current and future health.
Jean Hailes provides important information on how to know and understand your blood pressure numbers to make sure they are not too high and we have provided this information below. Further into can be sourced on jeanhailes.org.au and other references found at the bottom of this content.
Blood pressure numbers include:
- systolic pressures – the pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood
- diastolic pressures – the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.
You often see blood pressure numbers written with:
the systolic number above such as 120
the diastolic number below 80 mmHg
or
the systolic number first/the diastolic number second, such as 120/80 mmHg.
The mmHg is millimetres of mercury, which is the unit used to measure blood pressure. Normal blood pressure should be less than 130/80.
If you are aged 50 or younger you should have a blood pressure test every two years. If you are older than 50, a blood pressure check every year is recommended.
You will find more information on blood pressure in our page on managing blood pressure and here, you can learn more about Cholesterol.
The Absolute CVD risk calculator estimates the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years.
The Australian Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk Calculator helps healthcare professionals calculate a person’s risk of developing CVD in the next five years. It was developed in association with the 2012 Absolute CVD Risk Guidelines.
CVD is largely preventable, with modifiable CVD risk factors accounting for up to 90% of the risk of myocardial infarction1. In Australia, 64% of adults have three or more modifiable risk factors for CVD2.
An Absolute CVD risk assessment estimates the cumulative risk of multiple, and sometimes synergistic risk factors, to predict a heart attack or stroke event in the next 5 years.
How is the Absolute CVD Risk Calculator used?
The Australian CVD risk calculator calculates a risk score, expressed as a percentage, which is a person’s chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years. The absolute risk calculator is based on the prediction equation known as the Framingham Risk Equation. This equation has been tested for its validity and has shown to have good predictive ability.
Absolute CVD risk assessment, using this calculator, should be performed for all adults aged 45–74 years who are not known to have CVD or to be at clinically determined high risk.
This tool is a critical component of a Heart Health Check. The calculator was developed by the National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance (NVDPA) in accordance with the national Absolute CVD Risk Guidelines.
Reference: Information has been obtained by third parties including the Heart Foundation Australia and National Diabetes Services Scheme, and Jean Hailes.
1 Lancet. 2004 Sep 11-17;364(9438):937-52
2 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2011. Health determinants, the key to preventing chronic disease. Cat No. PHE 157. Canberra: AIHW.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is provided for general information purposes only and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional medical or other professional health advice.