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Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps out blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure. When your heart relaxes between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure.
Your blood pressure reading has two numbers:
The systolic (top number) represents the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts and pumps out blood. The diastolic (bottom number) represents the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats, when your heart rests.
A normal adult’s blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg (systolic/diastolic). If yours is higher, you have hypertension, or high blood pressure. High blood pressure raises your risk for cardiovascular disease—heart attack, stroke, and other conditions that could lead to disability or death. And even if you don’t have high blood pressure now, continued increases can put you at risk for these problems in the future.
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of your blood moving against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps out blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure. When your heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The top number, systolic pressure, is the higher of the two numbers. It represents the pressure in the arteries as your heart contracts and pumps out blood. The bottom number, diastolic pressure, is the lower number. It represents the pressure in the arteries as your heart relaxes between beats.
Why blood pressure matters
If you have high blood pressure, it means that your heart is working harder than it should to pump blood through your body. This can put a strain on your heart and lead to problems like heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.
High blood pressure is often called the silent killer because it doesn’t have any symptoms. That’s why it’s important to get your blood pressure checked regularly.
There are things you can do to lower your blood pressure, like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding tobacco products. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may also recommend medication.
Making lifestyle changes and taking medication if needed can help you keep your blood pressure under control and reduce your risk of serious health problems.
How is blood pressure measured?
Blood pressure is typically measured using a sphygmomanometer, which uses an inflatable cuff to temporarily stop the flow of blood in the artery being monitored. The reading is taken when the cuff is deflated and blood begins flowing again. The first number, called systolic pressure, represents the pressure when your heart contracts and pumps blood through your arteries. The second number, called diastolic pressure, represents the pressure when your heart relaxes between beats.
What you can do to control blood pressure
If you have high blood pressure, there are things you can do to lower it. Lifestyle changes can make a big difference. They include:
-Eating a healthy diet
-Maintaining a healthy weight
-Exercising regularly
-Quitting smoking
-Limiting alcohol intake
Making these lifestyle changes can go a long way toward keeping your blood pressure under control. In addition, your doctor may prescribe medication to help lower your blood pressure if lifestyle changes aren’t enough.
Conclusion
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, or are worried about developing it, there are a number of things you can do to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of health complications. By making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress, you can keep your blood pressure under control and protect your health.
