Blood Pressure – A Basic Overview
Blood pressure is most definitely a hot health topic and is something that is on people’s minds and in their conversations frequently. However, not everyone is clear about exactly what it is and how having either high or low blood pressure can impact the condition of your health.
Blood is constantly being moved throughout the body via your blood vessels and arteries. Blood pressure is the measurement of the force of your blood that is pushing against the walls of your arteries as it passes through them.
Every time your heart beats, which is about 60 to 70 times a minutes for the average, healthy person when at rest, it pumps blood out through the arteries which then carries it to every part of your body.
Your blood pressure measurement is going to be at the highest when the heart beats, contracting to push the blood out. This is your systolic blood pressure reading. Between heartbeats, your heart has a momentary rest and the pressure in the arteries is reduced, giving you the diastolic blood pressure measurement.
Blood pressure measurements are always given as a pair of numbers representing the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure, which are both important measurements. These numbers are normally written as one before the other separated with a slash, such as 110/75 mmHg. The first number, also referred to as the top number, is the systolic reading. The second number, or bottom number, is the reading for the diastolic measurement.
When this pair of numbers is recorded, the systolic measurement is written first followed by the diastolic measurement and in speaking of these measurements, it is common to say “my blood pressure is 110 over 75″ and is written as 110/75.
Your blood pressure changes throughout the day depending on your activities, your stress levels and your emotional states. It will be at its lowest while at rest, especially during sleep and rises during the day. If you spend most of your time sitting or standing it will remain relatively stable throughout the day.
The ideal blood pressure level is under 120/80. When the measurements stay consistently high, such as at the point of 140/90, then you are considered to have high blood pressure. This is a health concern because this state causes the heart to work harder, which will place stress on the arteries. It also increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney problems, such as kidney stones and kidney failure.
One common question people have is, what causes high blood pressure? Unfortunately, the answer is not simple and straightforward for many people because a single, specific cause cannot be pinpointed. This is known as primary or essential high blood pressure and there is ongoing research to learn more about the causes.
However, for others the condition is known to be a result of a specific medical problem they have or is caused by a medication they are taking. In these circumstances, this is known as secondary high blood pressure.
The blood pressure readings give you and your health care provider important information about your health situation today, as well as insights into possible future problems you might experience. This is why it’s so important to keep an eye on your pressure and be sure to consult with your doctor if it is consistently over 140/90.
Published by Health Editor
