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  • Blood pressure
    • Measuring blood pressure:
      • It is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).
      • Systolic pressure is the higher the measurement when the heart beats, pushing blood through the arteries.
      • Diastolic pressure is the lower measurement when the heart rests between beats
    • High and low blood pressure.
      • There are many factors which can increase blood pressure.
        • Smoking.
          • smoking increases blood pressure by raising the heart rate. Nicotine itself increases the heart rate and carbon monoxide reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. It combines with haemoglobin in red blood cells, preventing oxygen combining with the haemoglobin.
          • This causes an increase in hear rate to compensate for the reduced amount of oxygen carried in the blood.
        • Being overweight.
        • Drinking a lot of alcohol.
        • Stress.
      • A balanced diet and regular exercise can reduce high blood pressure.
      • Problems high blood pressure can create:
        • Kidney damage.
        • Burst blood vessels.
        • Damage to the brain including strokes.
      • Problems low blood pressure can create:
        • Dizziness
        • Fainting
        • Poor blood circulation

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