BLOOD PRESSURE

BLOOD PRESSURE

• Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels
• Arteries are vessels that carry blood from the pumping heart to all the tissues and organs of the body
• Blood pressure is generated by the heart pumping blood into the arteries and regulated by the response by the arteries to the flow of blood
• By convention, an individual's blood pressure is expressed as systolic/diastolic blood pressure, for example, 120/80
• The systolic blood pressure (the top number) represents the pressure in the arteries as the muscle of the heart contracts and pumps blood into them
• The diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) represents the pressure in the arteries as the muscle of the heart relaxes after it contracts
• Blood pressure always is higher when the heart is pumping than when it is relaxing
• Systolic blood pressure for most healthy adults falls between 90 and 120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)
• Normal diastolic blood pressure falls between 60 and 80 mm Hg
• Current guidelines define normal blood pressure as lower than 120/80.

Low Blood Pressure

• Low blood pressure (hypo tension) is pressure that is so low that it causes symptoms or signs due to the low flow of blood through the arteries and veins
• When the flow of blood is too low to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidney, the organs do not function normally and may be permanently damaged
• Unlike high blood pressure, low blood pressure is defined primarily by signs and symptoms of low blood flow not by a specific blood pressure number
• Some individuals may have a blood pressure of 90/50 with no symptoms of low blood pressure and therefore do not have low blood pressure
• However, others who normally have high blood pressure may develop symptoms of low blood pressure if their blood pressure drops to 100/60
• The development of lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting upon standing caused by low blood pressure is called orthostatic hypotension
• Normal individuals are able to compensate rapidly for the low pressure created by standing
• When there is insufficient blood pressure to deliver blood to the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply blood to the heart's muscle), a person can develop chest pain or even a heart attack
• When insufficient blood is delivered to the kidneys, the kidneys fail to eliminate wastes from the body, for example, urea and creatinine, and an increase in their levels in the blood occur
• Shock is a life–threatening condition where persistently low blood pressure causes organs such as kidney(s), liver, heart, lung, and brain to fail rapidly

High Blood Pressure

• Blood pressures over 130/80 are considered high
• High blood pressure (hbp) or hypertension means high pressure (tension) in the arteries
• High blood pressure does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure
• Normal blood pressure is below 120/80; blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called "pre–hypertension" and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high
• High blood pressure increases the risk of developing heart disease, kidney disease, hardening of the arteries, eye damage and brain damage
• The diagnosis of high blood pressure is important so efforts can be made to normalize blood pressure and prevent complications
• Blood Pressure is the measurement of pressure of the blood flowing through your blood vessels (called arteries) against the vessel walls. Med India's simple tool alerts you if for your age your blood pressure is abnormal by displaying the normal values
• This measurement is important if you are using a home electronic device to check your blood pressure. Please remember to put on the cuff properly and if your pressure is high check it again when you are more relaxed. Please remember that your pressure may be higher after a meal or exercise.

Some Of Interesting Facts

• High Blood Pressure- the heart exerts more force to pump the same quantity of blood within the same time
• Main Reasons for high blood pressure: hereditary, mental tension, excess intake of common salt, over-weight, sedentary life- style, smoking and excess intake of alcohol.

HYPERTENSION OR BLOOD PRESSURE MAY BE DIVIDED INTO THREE TYPES

1. Mild Hypertension: The systolic blood pressure ranges between 140 and 160 and the diastolic blood pressure ranges between 90 and 100
2. 2. Moderate Hypertension: The systolic blood pressure ranges between 160 and 200 and the diastolic blood pressure ranges between 100 and 120
3. Severe Hypertension: The systolic blood pressure is above 200 and the diastolic blood pressure is above 120.

Please note - Values discussed are all in mm of Hg

View Blood Pressure – Animation

Level of Severity

Systolic Blood Pressure

Diastolic Blood pressure

Mild Hypertension 140-160     90-100

Moderate Hypertension 160-200   100-120

Severe Hypertension Above 200  Above 120

Average Blood Pressure

For young people – 120/80 mmHg

For old people – 140/90 mmHg