Blood Pressure Readings
Gone are the days when you’d only be able to get your blood pressure readings at the doctor’s office. Thankfully, you can now take it as often as you’d like, right at home with the home blood pressure meter. There are several types, including the “old fashioned” model that comes with the inflatable ball. Nowadays, there are many options, even including a small wrist blood pressure monitor. Boy, have things come a long way!
How Are Blood Pressure Readings Taken?
Before we get into what blood pressure readings should be, you should understand what blood pressure is. You’ve got 4 chambers in your heart that pumps blood into your major arteries. These arteries transport blood through your entire body using your circulatory system. Your blood pressure is at its highest point when it is beating. The pressure at this point is referred to as the systolic pressure. This first number you see in blood pressure readings. When your heart contracts the pressure that is created is referred to as your diastolic blood pressure reading. When your heat is in a relaxed stat in between beats, this reading is captured.
For those that are healthy, blood pressure readings normally fall within a specific range. But for those who have health issues such as high levels of stress, obesity or high cholesterol, blood pressure is often sporadic and is often much higher than the specific / normal range healthy people experience. Of course, there are also those who suffer from low blood pressure. In the vast majority of these cases, the individual is either ill or has experienced a loss of blood. Both extremely high and extremely low blood pressure can lead to death, so it’s critical to monitor it on a regular basis.
What Are Normal Blood Pressure Readings?
For most adults, normal blood pressure readings will fall between 120 to 130 beats per minute. For someone who is in excellent shape, their heart rate could very well be below 120 beats per minute. So, the first number – this systolic reading – should be between 120 and 130.
The second number – or diastolic pressure – should be somewhere in between 80 and 90 beats per minute for most people. With these two numbers in mind, blood pressure readings of 126/83 or 120/84 would be considered normal for most folks.
However, blood pressure readings of 116/77, 110/96 for example, you’d likely be considered to be in great shape. There are some people that do have a higher or lower blood pressure than this that is considered normal by their doctor.
Systolic And Diastolic Blood Pressure Readings
Blood pressure is calculated by two numbers: systolic and diastolic. Systolic is the top number in a blood pressure understanding. Systolic pressure is the utmost strain that cardiac systole cause in the brachial vein. It is just about equivalent to the pressure that the blood exerts in opposition to the partition of the blood vessel from the within. A recurrent systolic reading larger than 140 mm/Hg is well thought-out high. When the diastolic pressure is in addition high over 90, a person is believed to have high blood pressure.
Stand on the findings of cross-sectional examinations researchers fulfilled that though remote systolic hypertension (ISH) is a general state among the mature, persons are taken care of less recurrently than they are for diastolic hypertension.
Normal Adult Systolic Pressure
The normal systolic blood pressure for adults is 90-140 mm Hg, a difference that is openly exaggerated by muscle movement, meal and sensations.
Normal Child Systolic Pressure
At beginning, the standard systolic strain is 40 mm Hg. It rises hastily for the phase of the initial month to 80 mm Hg. Then it augments slowly, and at the age of 12 years, the standard reaches 105 mm Hg. Systolic force is about 8 to 10 mm Hg lesser in women than in men, until menopause happens. This is due to a considerably advanced muscle movement showed by men in a variety of circumstances.
For blood pressure readings, the first figure is the systolic strain, while the subsequent digit is the diastolic force. Systolic specify the blood pressure throughout a heart restriction. The following, or diastolic, describe the quantity of occasion the heart is undisturbed and extended.
BP that is measured standard reads at 120/80 mmHg or beneath, Pre-hypertension is at what time the systolic pressure is among 120 and 139, while the diastolic pressure varies from 80 to 89. Stage I hypertension is when the systolic impression is flanked by 140 and 159, while the diastolic is 90 to 99. Stage II hypertension is systolic impressions higher than 160 and diastolic readings at 100 or higher.
How to Read It
The clout and device used to take your blood pressure is identified a sphygmomanometer. As the increasing cuffs tighten in the region of your upper limb, it ends the blood stream in your blood vessel. Leasing the air out of the clout let a healthcare professional listen all the way through a stethoscope to listen to a pounding resonance.
What Do The Numbers Mean When Reading A BP Chart?
Do you know how to read a blood pressure chart? It’s very important that you learn this skill because high blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, is running rampant in the world right now and about one third of the population in America is suffering from this particular problem. So basically you are talking about 75 million people suffering from high BP each and every day.
It’s important to get this number in check because hypertension usually leads to other unfortunate health issues like having a heart attack, kidney damage or even a stroke. But, your blood flow can definitely be managed if you take the time to monitor it. So, don’t feel like you’re in trouble and there’s no way out if you are suffering from diastolic hypertension right now.
Are You Aware of What’s on Your Own Chart?
Here is basically what you want to see on your chart, and what you also don’t want to see in some particular cases. A normal blood rate reading that you really want to strive for is 110/75. If your blood pressure is at that level then you are definitely fine. 120/80 is also a very good level for your body and this is considered normal.
To be on the high side your readings could be as high as 130/85 but even this would probably still fall into the normal range. Anything higher than this is a range that is relatively high and should be a major cause for concern. This is how you would read a BP chart if you’re trying to find out whether or not it’s on the high side.
To see if your pressure is on the low side, these are the things you want to look for. We will keep our normal BP range still at 110/75. A relatively borderline blood pressure, but still somewhat in the normal range, would be 90/60. If your heart pulse is at 60/40 then it is definitely too low. And if it’s at 50/33 then your blood level is dangerously low. You probably will never have to even think about these low blood pressure issues at all because the main concern right now more often than not is people having too much heart pressure.
Blood Pressure Readings: What You Need To Know
In simple terms, this is the force exerted on the arteries as the heart pumps blood throughout the body, and it plays a big role in your overall well-being. When the pressure is too high, it is likely to strain your heart and arteries. On the other hand, low blood pressure can also cause serious health problems. According to statistics published by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 68 million Americans suffer from some form of high blood pressure.
The cost of treating complications related to this condition currently stands at $131 billion every year. In light of this information, it is important for one to get regular blood pressure readings. Keep reading for information on blood pressure measurements and dangerous blood pressure readings.
Blood Pressure Readings Explained
Even if you are visiting your doctor for a reason other than a blood sugar problem, it is likely that you will undergo a blood pressure check to find out if you have a normal blood pressure reading. Figures published by CDC show that 64.8% of all patient visits to a hospital include a blood pressure reading, which typically two numbers are written in form of a ratio. For example, the figure may be 117/76 mm Hg. The first number is a measure of pressure in your arteries when the heart contracts (beats).
Doctors refer to this as systolic blood pressure. On the other hand, the lower number measures pressure in your arteries between heartbeats (heart is resting). Physicians refer to this as diastolic blood pressure. That said, it is necessary to look at how each reading affects your health.
Normal Blood Pressure Readings
Before looking at high and low blood pressure, it is important to look at what doctors consider to be a healthy blood pressure range. What is a normal blood pressure? Healthy blood pressure readings should be 120 over 80 (120/80). If the blood pressure reading is significantly higher or lower, your health is at risk.
High Blood Pressure Readings
Physicians also refer to high blood pressure as hypertension or HBP. What is a high blood pressure reading? A diastolic average blood pressure reading of 90 or higher indicates hypertension. In general, a reading of 140 over 90 qualifies you as a HBP candidate. Most doctors will take this reading over a period of several weeks. This is to ensure external factors do not influence the outcome of your tests. Before going for a blood pressure check, avoid exercise, caffeine, and smoking for at least 30 minutes.
Hypertension does not have clear-cut symptoms or signs. If you have doubts and concerns, visit your doctor. Some of the factors that may lead to HBP include drinking too much alcohol, eating salty foods, leading a sedentary lifestyle, too much weight, and lack of fruits and vegetables in your diet. In addition, age, race, and family history play a big role in developing high blood pressure. CDC statistics show that hypertension is more prevalent in men under the age of 45. However, the tables turn with age. After the age of 65, this condition tends to affect more women than men.
High Blood Pressure Problems
This condition creates several health problems. To start with, it increases the circulatory system’s workload. The blood vessels become weaker due to increased pressure. As a result, vessels rupture easily leading to strokes. In other cases, tiny tears lead to scarring, plague build up, and blood clot formation. These problems lead to blocked arteries and tissue damage.
Low Blood Pressure Readings
Many people tend to worry about high and not low blood pressure readings. The thinking is that the lower your blood pressure, the lower the risk of developing heart diseases. However, low blood pressure can harm your health as well. Any reading at 90/60 mm Hg should cause your alarm bells to start ringing. In addition, be on the lookout for symptoms associated with this condition. These include fatigue, dizziness, depression, blurred vision, fainting, nausea, dehydration, as well as shallow and rapid breathing.
Low blood pressure levels occur due to certain factors including heart problems, bed rest, nutritional imbalances, and problems associated with the endocrine system, septic shock, low blood volume, and allergic reactions. Understanding blood pressure readings is necessary if you have problems that require medical attention.
Orthostatic Blood Pressure Readings
Unlike the other readings, orthostatic blood pressure refers to measurements taken with the patient in different positions. This includes sitting, standing, or supine. The aim is to assess blood volume depletion in the body. To determine orthostatic hypotension, the American Academy of Neurology recommends taking a reading within three minutes of standing. If the systolic blood pressure drops by 20mm, this confirms orthostatic hypotension. The same is true if the diastolic pressure drops by 10mm within the same period.
In most cases, doctors recommend this reading if you suffer from unexplained light-headedness, vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, and syncope. This condition occurs when gravity causes blood to pool in your body’s lower extremities. Diseases associated with this condition include Ehler-Danlos syndrome, Addison’s disease, Parkinson’s disease (to some extent), and diabetes.
Tips to Lower your Blood Pressure
The good news is you can take steps to maintain good blood pressure readings. To do that, you must find understand what causes blood pressure, which is high salt intake for most people. With that in mind, start by reducing the amount of salt you consumes. CDC figures show that reducing salt intake from 3,300 mg to 2,300 mg every day can cut the number high blood pressure patients by 11 million. Instead, ramp up your intake of fruits and vegetables. Exercise is also beneficial.
As your heart beats, it pushes blood through your blood vessels. This constitutes systolic pressure. When the heart relaxes, this represents diastolic pressure in your blood vessels. Normal blood pressure readings should be around 120/80 mm Hg. Anything above 140/90 mm Hg shows you have hypertension. You should seek medical help if your blood pressure chart reading is low.
A Guide To Getting A Normal Blood Pressure Reading
Normal adult blood pressure has a systolic reading of between 90 and 119 mmHg and a diastolic measure of between 60 and 79. The older you get, the higher your blood pressure reading is likely to be. According to statistics at least one quarter of Americans have high blood pressure or hypertension.
The problem with hypertension is that it is often asymptomatic so many people don’t even realize they have it. Hypertension is often called the silent killer because of the lack of symptoms and the fact that severe cases can lead to major health problems such as heart failure, renal damage, and partial loss of sight, blindness, heart attack, stroke, mini stroke, aneurysm and death. The good news is that if you have hypertension there is a great deal that you can do in order to help yourself get down to a consistent normal blood pressure reading.
Exercise And Weight Management
Obesity contributes to pre-hypertension and hypertension, so if you are overweight you need to lose the excess pounds if you wish to get down to a normal blood pressure reading. You can do this by restricting your calorie intake and cutting most of the sugar and saturated fat from your diet. This can lower your risk of hypertension related health conditions significantly, so do yourself a favour and throw your ice cream and candy bars into the trash can.
Exercise can also help anybody who would like to see a normal blood pressure reading. Exercise makes the heart and cardiovascular system stronger as well as contributing to weight loss and lowering the blood pressure. Over time regular exercise can cut the risk of developing ailments associated with hypertension in half.
Quit Your Bad Habits
Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol can all contribute to the problem of hypertension. Therefore if you are serious about acquiring a consistent normal blood pressure reading it is in your best interest to eliminate or at least cut back on vices such as coffee, beer, whiskey, cigarettes, wine, cigars and chewing tobacco.
Get The Right Essential Nutrients
Just as certain lifestyle choices can exacerbate hypertension, some foods, minerals, herbs and vitamins can help you to get a healthy normal blood pressure reading. Increase your water intake and fill up on foods such as bananas, bean sprouts, garlic, olive oil, flaxseed oil, avocados, broccoli, oats and apples. Make sure you get enough minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium and vitamins C, D, E. Herbal supplements such as kelp, alp alpha, hawthorn berry and black cohosh are also purported to lower the blood pressure.
Medications
If you have made all the necessary lifestyle amendments and you still cannot get a normal blood pressure reading or if you have severe hypertension it may be time to ask your health care provider about prescription medication.
There are numerous medications that can help with hypertension including diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors and more. These medications can have side effects or interact with other medications you are taking so talk to your doctor to find out which is best for you.