Understanding Blood Pressure: General Overview
Blood pressure is the force that is exerted by the blood while in circulation against the innermost walls of the blood vessels. Thankfully it so happens to be one of the most important parameters that determine the cardiovascular health of a person, and the understanding of the same can empower a person to take smart decisions with respect to well-being. This article provides the basics how it is measured, the factors that can affect it, the ramifications if it falls outside of a normal range, and ways that can be adapted to ensure healthy blood pressure.
What Is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is typically taken with two numbers: systolic and diastolic pressure.
Systolic Pressure: The first number represents the systolic pressure, which is the force on the walls of arteries when there is blood flow due to heartbeats. This happens during the contraction period of the heart when it is pumping its blood into arteries.
Diastolic Pressure: This is the lower number, the diastolic pressure, or the tension within your blood vessels at the time of rest between your heartbeats. In that way, it represents the lowest pressure in your blood vessels and shows how good your heart is at relaxing and filling.
This means that normal reading is about 120/80 mmHg, which usually represents normal blood pressure. Readings above this usually characterize hypertension, whereas readings below this level signify hypotension.
There are two ways of measuring blood pressure:
Manual Measurement: This involves the use of a sphygmomanometer, an inflatable cuff, and a stethoscope. The cuff is put on the upper arm in such a way that inflation will cut off the flow of blood. The healthcare provider listens to the flow of blood sounds as the cuff falls down and therefore determines the systolic and diastolic pressure.
Automated Measurement: The electronic bp monitor inflates the cuff automatically and also projects measures on a viewing screen, and this measurement is consequently very easy and prompt. The patients will use them at home as they will very soon be in a position of taking continued measurements.
It is very fundamental, for it’s never a constant quantity in that it fluctuates depending upon day-to-day diverse conditions, including effects of exercises and stress diets, among many others.
Factors that influence BP
Many factors determine the levels of blood pressure for any given individual. These include;
1. Genetics
Family history is the basis of regulating bp. If your family has hypertension, there is a high possibility of developing the condition.
2. Age
With age comes increase in bp. Normally, old people are likely to develop high blood pressure since the veins become rigid and the pumping of blood inside the heart requires more force to pump.
3. Diet
Dietetics is the core practice in the management of bp. Excessive sodium intake is attributed to hypertension, whereas low bp is associated with diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy food examples DASH diet.
4. Exercises
Exercise the heart, promote the flow of blood, and decrease blood pressure.
Hypertension is caused by obesity due to sedentary lifestyles.
5. Weight
Another common cause of hypertension is obesity. Overweight makes the heart work much harder to pump blood, and at times this might lead to high blood pressure.
6. Stress
This is a temporary cause of high blood pressure. The poor coping mechanisms include bad eating habits, smoking, or alcohol abuse that worsen the condition.
7. Medications and Supplements
For example, NSAIDs, decongestants, and some antidepressants elevate blood pressure. In order not to develop hypertension, some of the specific herbal supplements like licorice and ginseng also elevate it.
Hypertension: The Silent Killer
This has a popular term- “silent killer”. The reason it is called the “silent killer” is that the major people affected by the disease do not feel it. They learn that this has been a big causative factor for damage. There are numerous medical conditions to which hypertension can give rise as the trigger. Take the case of heart conditions, discussed above; due to high pressure, the heart is much bigger and eventually becomes weak. Therefore, these can contribute to heart failure along with all other cardio disorders.
Stroke: This high pressure may damage the blood vessels of the brain so that the stroke-prone is increased in the affected person.
Kidney Damage: High bp destroys the blood vessels the kidneys use to remove waste from the blood.
Loss of Vision: High bp destroys the blood vessels inside the eyes. This may cause loss of vision or complete blindness.
Stages of Hypertension
The American Heart Association categorizes the blood pressure measurements into the following four stages:
Normal: Systolic < 120 mmHg and Diastolic < 80 mmHg
High: Systolic 120-129 mmHg, Diastolic < 80 mmHg
Stage 1 Hypertension: Systolic: 130-139 mmHg and/or Diastolic: 80-89 mmHg
Stage 2 Hypertension: Systolic: ≥ 140 mmHg and/or Diastolic: ≥ 90 mmHg
Hypertensive Crisis: Systolic > 180 mmHg and/or Diastolic > 120 mmHg: Patient presents with symptoms. Presents immediately for medical care.
Hypotension: Low Blood Pressure
While most of the people know about the risk factors associated with hypertension or high bp, low bp, also known as hypotension, is indeed a very dangerous medical condition. Some symptoms include dizziness, fainting, and weakness that occur due to hypertension. These might be due to dehydration and blood loss, but more serious conditions like heart functions and endocrine could also result in hypotension.
Blood Pressure Management
Healthy blood pressure can be achieved through lifestyle changes and, as needed, through medications. Some of the ways this can be accomplished include the following:
1. The Healthy Diet
Food that is heart healthy is first. Focus on:
Less sodium: Less than 2,300 mg a day and less than 1,500 mg a day for added health benefits.
High Potassium: Enhance your potassium intake by incorporating foods like bananas, oranges, potatoes, and spinach to balance sodium levels effectively.
DASH Diet: This diet only consists of high loads of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, but low saturated levels and sugar intake.
2. Physical Activity
At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week or at least 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week may be included. Examples of aerobic activities are walking, cycling, swimming, and even strength training
3. Weight loss
Even though this may be small it will bring down the body weight and hence bring down the blood pressure too. Healthy intake of food along with fitness will help in losing weight and maintaining it as well.
4. Drinking Less Alcohol
Generally, high intake of alcohol increases blood pressure. The intake should be mild-one drink a day for women and two for men.
5. Smoking Quit
Smoking damages the health of blood vessels; therefore it increases the risk factors of hypertension and heart diseases. Smoking cessation decreases the risk factors of short-term and long-term term regarding bp.
6. Stress Reduction
Performing activities like Yoga, Meditation or deep breathing reduces pressure on blood vessels. Doing hobbies with family and friends also is reducing stress.
7. Monitor Periodically
Monitoring can detect a change quite early. Home monitors are readily available, so it is not challenging to monitor the readings over time.
8. Medication
The health care providers can also provide medications if lifestyle modification alone is not enough to control the blood pressure. There are different classes of medications, including diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.
Conclusion
Knowing your blood pressure is very important to keep your general health on track. Knowing what would cause a blood pressure change, and thus a lifestyle change, would minimize the risks associated with hypertension and everything that it leads to. Regular visitation to health providers contributes wonderful participation in gaining an appropriate healthy range. Remember knowledge is power; this knowledge on the part really translates into longevity.
