myHeartyHeart.com >> About My Heart - Articles >> Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is a force exerted by the circulation of blood inside the walls of arteries or veins. This happens as the heart pumps the blood throughout the human body or when the force of the arteries resisting the blood flow. Blood pressure changes periodically, depending on your diet, your bodily temperature, amount of physical exercise, our emotional state, medication usage and etc.
How is Blood Pressure Tested?
The healthcare provider puts the sphygmomanometer around the patient’s bare arm, which inflates and restricts the blood flow to measure the blood pressure. A stethoscope is also used in conjunction with a manual sphygmomanometer. This allows the healthcare provider to listen as the blood flows inside the arteries or veins.
How is Blood Pressure Measured?
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters in mercury (mmHg) and is represented by two numbers. The first number is the systolic blood pressure reading that indicates the maximum pressure force as the heart contracts. The second number is diastolic blood pressure reading, which indicates the minimum pressure force when the heart is resting. The systolic number is above the diastolic number. For instance, a blood pressure reading is read as 120/80, which is ideal. These two numbers are based on a chart to determine if your blood pressure is high, normal or low.
What is High Blood Pressure?
Abnormal results from the blood pressure test can range from prehypertension to hypertensive crisis. Prehypertension is when the test results read over 120 for systolic and over 80 for diastolic. High blood pressure or hypertension during stage 1 is 140 to 159 for systolic and 90 to 99 for diastolic. Stage 2 of high blood pressure 160 or over for systolic and diastolic is 100 or higher. Emergency care is needed when the systolic is over 180 and the diastolic is over 110. This level is very dangerous and intervention must be performed immediately. Several blood pressure tests are taken to rule out high blood pressure.
What are The Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?
Multitudes of people who have high blood pressure may have mild symptoms, like dizziness, headaches, nausea, and blurred vision. Some will confuse these mild symptoms as minor and will not see a doctor. However, there are usually no apparent symptoms of high blood pressure. Most people do not find out about their high blood pressure until they have a heart attack or stoke.