Basics of Blood Pressure

So why is having a normal blood pressure important?

I like comparing your blood vessels to a water hose with thin walls. If you turn the water pressure up too high, you can bust a hole in the hose (vessel) as well as cause the sprayer (heart) on the end to break. So how do you read and understand what your numbers mean? Imagine you are turning the spigot up and down fairly quickly (60-100 times per minute). The higher number, or systolic pressure, is when your heart is pushing the blood forward through your vessels; this is the pressure your heart muscle is having to pump against. The lower number, or diastolic pressure, is what pressure is put on your vessels when your heart is filling up.

You heart is essentially a muscle; it's good to workout your muscle to keep it strong and healthy. But have you ever seen a bodybuilder that had done so much they couldn't even turn their neck? It's the same problem when your heart is constantly having to push against a higher pressure than normal. Eventually your heart can't move as well as it used to; it's just too big. That's when heart failure becomes a problem.

So what is normal blood pressure?

If you haven't been diagnosed already, it is less than 120/80 mm Hg. If you have, then it should be less than 140/90 or 130/80 depending or other conditions.

How do you take a good blood pressure?

If you don't have a machine at home:
     1) Head to the nearest pharmacy and locate the automated machine.
     2) Make sure you are relaxed and try not to talk while the machine is working.
     3) Pull your sleeve up so it doesn't end up inside the cuff.
     4) I usually recommend taking your blood pressure at least 2-3 times to make sure it is a good number.

There are many reasons for your numbers to be abnormally high, though.
     1) Machines are continually played with by children and can be miscalibrated.
     2) If you just ran a marathon, or feel like you have, you may have to sit for longer period of time.
     3) Your sleeve may be too tight on your arm or could have gotten in between you and the cuff.
     4) Your arm may be too big/small for the cuff. The automated machines are built for the "average" person.

Consequences of Hypertension

 

Most know it can affect your heart, but many do not know about the other consequences. The long-term effects of uncontrolled high blood pressure can affect everything from your brain (increased risk for stroke, headaches), eyes (glaucoma/loss of vision), lungs (fluid buildup from heart failure), kidneys (can cause kidney failure), and erectile dysfunction just to name a few.

 

 

So the take home message is to take care of those tickers! 

 

 

Tune in next week for a look into how to control your blood pressure - including non-drug therapies!