Blood Pressure: What You Need to Know!

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted on the walls of the vessels. It usually indicates arterial pressure, ( pressure in the larger arteries) The pressure of the in other vessels such as the smaller arteries, veins or capillaries is lower than the arterial pressure.

The peak pressure in the arteries is the systolic pressure, and the lowest pressure is the diastolic pressure. The latter is during the resting phase or the time between two successive beats when the heart is at rest. Typical values for the arterial blood pressure of a resting, healthy adult are approximately 120 for systolic and 80 for diastolic. This however is subjected to large individual variations.

The pressure is not static, but undergoes natural variations from one heartbeat to another or throughout the day. It is also affected by stress, nutritional factors, medication and even health conditions

High and low pressure is when there is a variation in the above values. When the readinga is higher for the values we say the person is suffering from high blood pressure. A rise in pressure is not considered healthy since it may lead to conditions of stroke, cardiovascular and even kidney problems.

Low pressure is not a healthy situation either , since it may also lead to symptoms of dizziness or fatigue. No single reason has been assigned for variations in ones blood pressure. However life style, food habits and even geographical locations are pointed out as factors for this.

It is possible to a large extent to control your condition through various methods. A healthy eating habit is a good start. Good eating habits will make you lose excess weight which will also lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. Fried foods, starch and fatty foods are best avoided, and a healthy intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is a recommended substitute.

Light exercises which do not overstrain you on a daily routine is excellent for burning out excess fat from your body. Your exercises should be in accordance with your age and physical condition. An early morning walk or a jog down the street can work wonders for your condition.

Though smoking is not believed to directly affect blood pressure, it causes the arteries to narrow. This can then lead to elevated pressure and eventually to heart attacks. Quit smoking. This is one big step you can take to protect your health overall.

Download our new

Blood Pressure Ebook Free! to read at your leisure, covers all topics.

More articles below on this topic

Arginine
Arginine more than any other amino acid, is credited with effective cholesterol control properties. Controlled doses of Arginine on a daily basis have lowered the dangerous LDL cholesterol without reducing the beneficial HDL cholesterol and most importantly, without any side effects. It also promotes healthy blood flow in the micro level preventing the formation of clots which is one of the primary reasons for heart attacks or strokes....more

Chart
A control chart which indicates the normal readings with the age and sex indicators would be perfect. This is for cross reference. Normal values of systolic over diastolic in an adult is 130/85 and a reading which shows 140/85-89 is considered normal high. There is however two important aspects when the normalcy of a reading is to be considered. Age and sex....more

Control
Cholestrol levels which contributes significantly towards elevated blood pressure can also be lowered by eating more fruits and vegetables, more so the LDL cholestrol. Though the exact process largely remains a mystery, it is thought that soluble fiber present in the fruits blocks the absorbtion of cholestol from food....more

Cuff
The common method of monitoring is with the blood pressure cuff strapped around the upper arm about one to two inches above the bend of the elbow and in direct contact. The arm is slightly bend and placed almost in line with the chest region. Both the systolic and diastolic values have to be taken. The values are actually represented one placed over the above, like say, 120/80 with the upper figure representing the systolic and the lower figure the diastolic....more

Diastolic
People with a diastolic reading between 80 to 89 are considered prehypertensive and should modify lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise to prevent cardiovascular disease. Until recently, a person with high diastolic pressure was considered by doctors to be at high risk for coronary heart disease, but a recent study suggests that for people over the age of 60, pulse pressure is a better predictor of the disease....more

Exercise
For people with elevated blood pressure, however, exercises which are less strenuous are what are recommended. Moderate jogging, brisk walking, gardening and swimming etc are excellent. Care should be that all high blood pressure exercises are followed at the advice of your doctor....more

Free Ebook
Our new ebook covering all aspecs of this topic which we are providing free to all our visitors, download it now in adobe pdf format to read at your leisure

Headache
In some studies, however, a higher prevalence of headache and migraine has been reported in hypertensive patients than among normal controls. Other studies have found a higher prevalence of hypertension among patients who have headaches or migraine than among headache free people....more

High
There are certain risk factors or traits that can make a person more likely to develop hypertension. These include a high sodium (salt) intake, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, heavy drinking or alcoholism, and even smoking. In case of pregnant women, alcoholism should be avoided at all costs. However certain risk factors beyond one’s control....more

Information
High blood pressure has no particular age bracket and can occur in children or adults, but it's more commonly prevalent among people over the age of 35. Middle aged, elderly, alcoholics, diabetics, kidney patients and women who take birth control pills are among the ones most exposed....more

Low
Low blood pressure can arise also through diseases or health conditions like certain nervous disorders, heart problems, prolonged bed rest, severe blood loss, medicines, shock and even sepsis....more

Machine
Omron blood pressure machines are one among the largest manufactures of blood pressure machines and supplies. Wrist blood pressure monitors, automatic and manual monitors and mechanical monitors are among some of the types available in the market....more

Measuring
Technology has come a long way in the field of medical science to enable the common layman to understand more about his health. Hypertension and hypotension which stalks a majority of people all over the world can be prevented using the latest gizmos and gadgets now available in the market. Simple but efficient blood pressure monitors are made available to the layman to fight the silent killer....more

Medication
Diuretics, Beta Blockers, Alpha Blockers, Vasodilators, Nervous system inhibitors, Calcium channel Blockers, Angiotensin antagonists etc are some of the high blood pressure medications in the allopathic stream used to counter high pressure conditions. Circulin is a scientifically advanced natural homeopathic medicinal designed to help combat the fast pace of life and to specifically address the problems associated with high blood circulatory pressure and hypertension....more

Prevention
Garlic has long been associated with high medicinal values and a wonderful tool for the control of cholesterol. Controlled intake of raw garlic or its extract will effectively lower the cholesterol content especially the LDL, which in turn can help in high blood pressure prevention. Vitamin C, magnesium supplements, fish oils, natural mineral salts and high fiber diet are some of the natural preventive tools....more

Stethoscope
Heart rate is measured by stethoscope and blood pressure is determined by auscultation with a mercury manometer. The average of three determinations are usually taken to derive a final conclusive reading....more

Systolic
High systolic blood pressure seems to be a significant indicator for heart complications, including death, in all ages, but especially in middle-aged and older adults. In fact, elevated systolic pressure can pose major risks even in situations where the diastolic is normal. The greater the difference between the systolic and diastolic values, the higher the risks. The following table can be used as a useful bench mark to determine your pressure status....more

Test
theoretically, the two numbers give you a range of what your blood pressure is like at its highest and lowest numbers. So, if the pressure is "140/80", said as "140 over 80", then the idea is that the pressure is always in the range of 80 to 140, depending on whether the heart pumps or not....more

Related Sites

Causes of High Blood Pressure Symptoms
High Blood Pressure / Hypertension can be controlled in most cases of Essential high blood presure. You just have to be willing to learn new habits that are conducive to lowering blood Pressure.

Information on Seated Massage
Welcome to Chair Massage Is For You, your source for information on seated massage. Are you stressed out and overworked? Do your muscles ache from your job or from working out or gardening? You need a seated massage!