Understanding Your Blood Pressure Readings
If you have reason to be worried about your blood pressure, you ought to begin monitoring it yourself at home. High blood pressure or hypertension is called 'The Silent Killer' because you cannot know whether you have it unless you measure it. You cannot guess or just feel it. First of all, you ought to talk to your GP and he will give you some numbers, then you can purchase a blood pressure monitor and keep an eye on your situation.
When you are given your blood pressure reading by either your physician or your machine, you will be given two figures, say 120/80.
The first number is your systolic blood pressure. The systolic pressure is while your heart 'beats' or contracts, pumping your blood around you body.
The second number is while your heart expands, sucking blood back into itself. This is the diastolic blood pressure. These numbers are of the blood pressure in your arteries.
There are four categories that your blood pressure readings can fall into. The first is normal and it is generally accepted that that means numbers below 120/80. These numbers relate to a healthy person and can be achieved by almost anyone by keeping a healthy active lifestyle.
The second stage is known as 'Prehypertension' and relates to blood pressures between 'normal' and 140/90. This is the warning stage that you ought to be doing something to reduce your blood pressure. This could mean: a modification of diet; drinking less alcohol, tea or coffee; losing weight; taking more exercise; smoking less or giving up smoking altogether.
The third stage is called 'Hypertension Stage One' and is reflected by figures between prehypertension and 160/100. If you get into this stage then you really have to see your physician and he will recommend significant changes to your lifestyle along the lines stated above or / and he will put you on tablets.
The fourth stage is known as 'Hypertension Stage Two' and is anything above 160/100. This is quite dangerous and your doctor will want to get you to make radical changes to your lifestyle and / or take tablets which could be for the remainder of your life. If you reach this stage go to your doctor's as soon as you can.
While you are talking about your blood pressure with your doctor, be sure you tell him about any other medication you are taking, because some medication will raise blood pressure as well. Examples of medication that can raise your blood pressure are: anti-depressants, oral contraceptives and anti-flu or anti-cough treatments.
There are other things that can affect blood pressure as well. lack of sleep is one. Do you have a new-born baby, a sick child, money worries, sleep apnoea or a snoring spouse that prevent you from sleeping in the right manner?
Fear, anger and anxiety are also reasons for high blood pressure. So is constipation, drinking too much and smoking. So, before you let your physician prescribe medication to reduce your blood pressure, make sure he is aware of all your circumstances.
When you are given your blood pressure reading by either your physician or your machine, you will be given two figures, say 120/80.
The first number is your systolic blood pressure. The systolic pressure is while your heart 'beats' or contracts, pumping your blood around you body.
The second number is while your heart expands, sucking blood back into itself. This is the diastolic blood pressure. These numbers are of the blood pressure in your arteries.
There are four categories that your blood pressure readings can fall into. The first is normal and it is generally accepted that that means numbers below 120/80. These numbers relate to a healthy person and can be achieved by almost anyone by keeping a healthy active lifestyle.
The second stage is known as 'Prehypertension' and relates to blood pressures between 'normal' and 140/90. This is the warning stage that you ought to be doing something to reduce your blood pressure. This could mean: a modification of diet; drinking less alcohol, tea or coffee; losing weight; taking more exercise; smoking less or giving up smoking altogether.
The third stage is called 'Hypertension Stage One' and is reflected by figures between prehypertension and 160/100. If you get into this stage then you really have to see your physician and he will recommend significant changes to your lifestyle along the lines stated above or / and he will put you on tablets.
The fourth stage is known as 'Hypertension Stage Two' and is anything above 160/100. This is quite dangerous and your doctor will want to get you to make radical changes to your lifestyle and / or take tablets which could be for the remainder of your life. If you reach this stage go to your doctor's as soon as you can.
While you are talking about your blood pressure with your doctor, be sure you tell him about any other medication you are taking, because some medication will raise blood pressure as well. Examples of medication that can raise your blood pressure are: anti-depressants, oral contraceptives and anti-flu or anti-cough treatments.
There are other things that can affect blood pressure as well. lack of sleep is one. Do you have a new-born baby, a sick child, money worries, sleep apnoea or a snoring spouse that prevent you from sleeping in the right manner?
Fear, anger and anxiety are also reasons for high blood pressure. So is constipation, drinking too much and smoking. So, before you let your physician prescribe medication to reduce your blood pressure, make sure he is aware of all your circumstances.
About the Author:
Owen Jones, the writer of this article writes on a number of topics, but is currently involved with work on how to read blood pressure. If you want to know more or check out some great offers, please go to our website at High Blood Pressure Recipes.
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