Most of us tend to consider blood pressure as a silent disease, but the truth is, blood pressure is much more than that. "Blood pressure also referred to as arterial pressure, is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, and is one of the principal vital signs"
What is blood pressure?
"With each heartbeat, your heart pumps blood in your body to generate energy and oxygen. As the blood moves across your body, it pushes against the sides of the blood vessels. The power or force of this pushing is known as blood pressure".
Blood pressure is not steady all the time. It changes according to the needs of your body and can change due to emotion, stress, exercise, sleep and breathing. Your blood pressure can be either between three categories: normal, high or low. Blood pressure is always given in two numbers: systolic and diastolic pressures.
What is systolic and diastolic Pressure?
During each Heartbeat your blood pressure can range between a maximum (systolic) and a minimum (diastolic). These numbers appear when you monitor your blood pressure. Both these numbers are very important.
Systolic pressure:
- The number, which appears at the top, is known as the systolic pressure.
- It is the number which is measured during each heartbeat, when your heart contracts and pushes blood through the arteries to the rest of the body.
- A normal systolic pressure is 120 or below, whereas a systolic blood pressure with 140 and above is considered hypertension.
Diastolic pressure:
- This number is the second or the bottom number.
- It is the number which indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between each heartbeat.
- A normal diastolic blood pressure number is 80 or below, whereas a diastolic blood pressure number of 90 or higher is considered hypertension.
Blood pressure classification
- Blood pressure can be normal, high or low.
- Blood pressure reading below 120/80 is normal and healthy.
- If your blood pressure reading is consistently 140/90 or higher, then you may be developing high blood pressure or hypertension.
- Generally low blood pressure is considered healthy, but if your blood pressure is around 90/60 or lower, then you may be at the risk of developing hypotension or low blood pressure.
Measuring blood pressure
To measure blood pressure, a machine called as sphygmomanometer is used. Sphygmomanometer is an inflatable cuff that is wrapped around the upper arm. The best time to measure your blood pressure is when you are completely relaxed.
Ways to keep your blood pressure normal
If your blood pressure remains high or low it can lead to various health problems. Thus, it is important to have a normal blood pressure level to lead a healthy life. Normal blood pressure can be obtained by following these steps:
Maintain healthy weight
Be physically active
Limit alcohol consumption
Quit smoking
Decrease your salt/sodium intake
Increase your potassium intake
Eat healthy
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