What is a ‘blood pressure’ reading?

The heart pumps the blood that moves around your body. Arteries are blood vessels that take the blood pumped from the heart to the rest of your body. The force at which the blood pushes against the walls of of the arteries is known as ‘Blood Pressure’.

The blood pressure reading is made up of two numbers:

• Systolic Pressure – This is the first number and is the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats.
• Diastolic Pressure – This is the second number and is the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart relaxes.

In general, a normal blood pressure is Systolic 120 mmHg / Diastolic 80 mmHg or less. Pre-hypertension (at risk) is usually classed as Systolic 120 -139 mmHg / Diastolic 80 mmHg to 89 mmHg and hypertension (high blood pressure) is usually 140 mmHg or higher / Diastolic 90 mmHg or higher.

Your blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day depending on what you are doing, and this is normal. If your blood pressure is persistently high then you may be said to have ‘High Blood Pressure’, also known as Hypertension.

This condition must be diagnosed by your doctor.

Signs and symptoms of ‘High Blood Pressure’ – Hypertension

In a lot of cases, high blood pressure has no symptoms and as a result, many people who have it are not aware that they do until they are very sick or until it’s too late. It is therefore good practice to get your blood pressure checked regularly by your doctor. It is also easily monitored at home with a home blood pressure monitor, or at a pharmacy that has a digital blood pressure monitoring machine but always discuss your results with your doctor.

Here is a ‘Blood Pressure Log’ you can download and use.

Some people may have the following symptoms:

• Dizziness
• Difficulty breathing
• Nose bleeds
• Vision changes
• Nausea / Vomiting
• Irregular heartbeat

High blood pressure can also occur in pregnancy as a condition known as Preeclampsia or Toxemia.

Complications of uncontrolled ‘High Blood Pressure’ – Hypertension

• Damage to your heart
• Damaged arteries
• Damage to the brain
• Reduced blood flow
• Stroke
• Kidney damage
• Chest pain also known as angina
• Heart failure
• Irregular heatbeat
• Heart attack
• Sudden death
• Eye damage
• Sexual dysfunction

Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure

Anyone can have high blood pressure but the risk is increased in the instances below:

• Family history of high blood pressure
• Ages 55 and over but can occur in your 30’s or 40’s
• African American
• Diabetes
• Smoker
• Overweight
• Heavy Drinker
• High salt intake
• Irregular exercise
• Stress

Management and Treatment of High Blood Pressure

• Get your blood pressure checked regularly
• Exercise regularly
• Do not smoke
• Limit alcohol intake
• Keep a healthy weight level
• Eat a healthy diet, low in salt and low in sugar
• Get enough sleep
• Take medication as directed by your health care provider.
• Manage health conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol as directed by your health care provider

Though ‘High Blood Pressure’ is a very serious condition it is preventable and treatable.

Disclaimer: This is not an exhaustive list and is for information only. This is not medical advice. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist if you need personal treatment options or have any questions that affect you directly.