Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels as the heart pumps blood. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and expressed as systolic and diastolic numbers. Systolic is the top number that measures the pressure when the heart beats. Diastolic is the bottom number that measures the pressure when the heart rests between beats.
Blood pressure is an important indicator of your heart health and overall wellness. Having normal blood pressure can help you prevent or delay the onset of various health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and vision loss. On the other hand, having high or low blood pressure can increase your risk of these conditions and affect your quality of life.
In this article, we will explain the blood pressure types, their symptoms, and how to use a blood pressure chart to monitor your health. We will also provide some tips on how to prevent or manage blood pressure problems with lifestyle changes and medications.
Blood pressure types
According to the American Heart Association, there are four general categories of blood pressure: normal, elevated, hypertension, and hypotension.
– Normal blood pressure is when your systolic is less than 120 and your diastolic is less than 80. This means your blood pressure is within the healthy range and you have a low risk of developing cardiovascular complications. You should maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle to keep your blood pressure normal.
– Elevated blood pressure is when your systolic is between 120 and 129 and your diastolic is less than 80. This means that your blood pressure is slightly higher than normal and you have a higher risk of developing hypertension. You should make some lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure and prevent it from rising further.
– Hypertension is when your systolic is 130 or higher or your diastolic is 80 or higher. This means that your blood pressure is too high and you have a high risk of developing cardiovascular complications. There are two stages of hypertension: stage 1 and stage 2. Stage 1 hypertension is when your systolic is between 130 and 139 or your diastolic is between 80 and 89. Stage 2 hypertension is when your systolic is 140 or higher or your diastolic is 90 or higher. You should consult your doctor and take medications to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of complications.
– Hypotension is when your systolic is 90 or lower or your diastolic is 60 or lower. This means that your blood pressure is too low and you may experience symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, nausea, fatigue, or blurred vision. Low blood pressure can be caused by dehydration, blood loss, infection, medication side effects, or other underlying conditions. You should seek medical attention and treat the cause of your low blood pressure.
Symptoms of blood pressure problems
Many people with blood pressure problems do not experience any symptoms until they have a serious complication, such as a heart attack or a stroke. Therefore, it is important to check your blood pressure regularly and follow your doctor’s advice on how to manage it.
Some of the common symptoms of high blood pressure are:
– Headache
– Chest pain
– Shortness of breath
– Flushing
– Nosebleed
– Vision changes
– Confusion
Some of the common symptoms of low blood pressure are:
– Dizziness
– Fainting
– Nausea
– Fatigue
– Blurred vision
– Cold, clammy skin
– Rapid or irregular heartbeat
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical help, as they may indicate a life-threatening condition.
Blood pressure chart
A blood pressure chart is a tool that can help you understand your blood pressure readings and what they mean for your health. You can use a blood pressure chart to compare your readings with the normal range and the different categories of blood pressure. You can also use a blood pressure chart to track your progress and see how your lifestyle changes or medications affect your blood pressure.
Here is an example of a blood pressure chart:
*Ranges may be lower for children and teenagers. Talk to your child’s care provider if you are concerned that your child has high blood pressure.
These recommendations address high blood pressure as a single health condition. If you also have heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or certain other conditions, you may need to treat your blood pressure more aggressively.
You can also use a blood pressure tracker or an app to record your readings and share them with your doctor.
Prevention and management of blood pressure problems
The good news is that you can prevent or manage your blood pressure problems with some simple lifestyle changes and medications. Here are some tips on how to keep your blood pressure in the normal range and improve your health:
– Eat a balanced diet that is low in salt, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and added sugars. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet or another heart-healthy diet that your doctor recommends.
– Exercise regularly for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity. You can also do a combination of both. Include some strength training and flexibility exercises as well. Choose activities that you enjoy and that suit your fitness level.
– Maintain a healthy weight that is appropriate for your height and body type. If you are overweight or obese, try to lose some weight by reducing your calorie intake and increasing your physical activity. Even a modest weight loss of 5-10% of your body weight can lower your blood pressure and improve your health.
– Limit your alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure and damage your liver, heart, and brain. If you do not drink alcohol, do not start. If you have trouble controlling your drinking, seek help from your doctor or a support group.
– Quit smoking or avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and other diseases. Quitting smoking can lower your blood pressure and improve your health. If you need help to quit smoking, talk to your doctor or call a quitline.
– Manage your stress levels and practice relaxation techniques. Stress can raise your blood pressure and affect your mental and emotional well-being. Find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, hobbies, or social support. Avoid negative coping strategies, such as overeating, drinking, smoking, or using drugs.
– Take your medications as prescribed by your doctor. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe one or more medications to lower it and prevent complications. These medications may include diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), or others. Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take your medications, how often to check your blood pressure, and what side effects to watch out for. Do not stop taking your medications without consulting your doctor.
– Monitor your blood pressure regularly and report any changes to your doctor. You can check your blood pressure at home, at a pharmacy, or at a clinic. You can also use a blood pressure chart, a blood pressure tracker, or an app to record your readings and see how they compare with the normal range and the different categories of blood pressure. Share your readings with your doctor and follow their advice on how to adjust your treatment plan.
Conclusion
Blood pressure is a vital sign that reflects your heart health and overall wellness. Having normal blood pressure can help you prevent or delay the onset of various health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and vision loss. Having high or low blood pressure can increase your risk of these conditions and affect your quality of life.
By understanding the different types of blood pressure, their symptoms, and how to use a blood pressure chart to monitor your health, you can take charge of your blood pressure and improve your health. You can also prevent or manage your blood pressure problems with some simple lifestyle changes and medications.
Remember to check your blood pressure regularly and consult your doctor if you have any concerns or questions. By mapping your health for a better tomorrow, you can enjoy a longer
FAQs
Q: What is a normal blood pressure range?
A: A normal blood pressure range is when your systolic (top number) is less than 120 and your diastolic (bottom number) is less than 80. This means your blood pressure is within the healthy range and you have a low risk of developing cardiovascular complications. You should maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle to keep your blood pressure normal.
Q: What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
A: High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when your systolic is 130 or higher or your diastolic is 80 or higher. High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels and organs, such as your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Many people with high blood pressure do not experience any symptoms until they have a serious complication, such as a heart attack or a stroke. However, some of the common symptoms of high blood pressure are headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, flushing, nosebleeds, vision changes, and confusion.
Q: What are the symptoms of low blood pressure?
A: Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is when your systolic is 90 or lower or your diastolic is 60 or lower. Low blood pressure can be a sign of good health, but can also be abnormal in certain situations, such as during severe infection, blood loss, dehydration, or medication side effects. If blood pressure falls too low, it can cause symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, nausea, fatigue, blurred vision, cold, clammy skin, and rapid or irregular heartbeat.
Q: How can I lower my blood pressure naturally?
A: You can lower your blood pressure naturally by making some lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet that is low in salt, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and added sugars, and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. You should also exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, limit your alcohol intake, quit smoking, manage your stress levels, and practice relaxation techniques. These lifestyle changes can help you prevent or delay the onset of high blood pressure and its complications.
Q: How can I use a blood pressure chart to monitor my health?
A: A blood pressure chart is a tool that can help you understand your blood pressure readings and what they mean for your health. You can use a blood pressure chart to compare your readings with the normal range and the different categories of blood pressure, such as normal, elevated, hypertension, and hypotension. You can also use a blood pressure chart to track your progress and see how your lifestyle changes or medications affect your blood pressure. You can download a blood pressure chart from the American Heart Association website or use a blood pressure tracker or an app to record your readings and share them with your doctor.
