Blood pressure is a measurement of how much the blood pushes against the walls of blood vessels (arteries and veins). It is reported in two numbers:
Systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure
Systolic blood pressure measures how hard the blood pushes against the blood vessels when the heart contracts (beats). Diastolic blood pressure measures how hard the blood pushes against the blood vessels when the heart relaxes between beats. Textbook normal blood pressure is 120/80 (said “120 over 80”). In reality, blood pressure changes constantly throughout the day. These changes depend on factors such as exercise, sleep, hydration, stress, and other medical conditions.
Blood pressure can become either too high or too low. Hypotension (low blood pressure) measures less than 90/60. A type of low blood pressure, called orthostatic hypotension, occurs when a person’s blood pressure drops when they change positions too quickly (e.g., go from sitting to standing). This is more common among the elderly.
Hypertension is classified into three different types:
If blood pressure is extremely high, a healthcare provider may be concerned about hypertensive crisis. A person in hypertensive crisis may go on to have a heart attack, stroke or other damage to organs.
Blood pressure conditions may have no symptoms at all until the blood pressure has become high or low. Some symptoms when this occurs can include:
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is sometimes called “the silent killer” because people may not realise they have the disease until it’s been going on for a long time. Unfortunately, chronic high blood pressure causes problems in the body even when it doesn’t cause symptoms.
Often, the cause of blood pressure problems isn’t known. However, the following can contribute to the development of or worsening of blood pressure problems:
There are several things which contribute to the development of bloods pressure problems, such as:
A sphygmomanometer is a medical instrument that diagnoses blood pressure problems. To measure blood pressure, a cuff is placed around a person’s arm and then inflated. As the cuff deflates, the machine measures the person’s blood pressure.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases a person’s risk of strokes, heart attacks, and aneurysms (when a blood vessel stretches and balloons). It can also damage eyesight, kidneys, and blood flow to extremities (arms, legs, fingers, and toes).
Low blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension are a frequent cause of falls in older people. Broken bones because of these falls can decrease quality of life.
Treatment for blood pressure problems often involves a combination of the following:
Normal health habits such as a nutritious diet, exercise, and a healthy weight are great prevention techniques for blood pressure problems. Since the blood is made up of fluid, drinking plenty of fluids can help the body keep blood pressure steady. Because chronic stress is associated with increased blood pressure, stress relief techniques can help bring blood pressure to the normal range.