How To Understand Your Blood Pressure Figures

By Owen Jones

If you have reason to become worried about your blood pressure, you ought to start 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 physician and he will give you some numbers, then you can purchase a blood pressure monitor and keep an eye on your condition.

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 readings are of the blood pressure in your arteries.

There are four categories that your blood pressure numbers can fall into. The first is normal and it is by and large accepted that that means readings below 120/80. These numbers relate to a healthy person but can be gained 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 known as 'Hypertension Stage One' and is reflected by figures between prehypertension and 160/100. If you get into this stage then you actually have to see your GP and he will advocate serious alterations 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 fairly dangerous and your GP will want to get you to make radical alterations 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 possible.

Whilst you are talking about your blood pressure with your doctor, make certain you tell him about any other medicine you are taking, because some medication will raise blood pressure too. 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 have an effect on blood pressure too. lack of sleep is one. Do you have a new-born baby, a sick child, money concerns, sleep apnoea or a snoring spouse that prevent you from sleeping properly?

Fear, anger and anxiety are also reasons for high blood pressure. So is constipation, drinking too much and smoking. So, before you let your doctor prescribe medication to reduce your blood pressure, make certain he is aware of all your conditions.

About the Author:

Owen Jones, the author of this piece 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, just go to our website at High Blood Pressure Recipes.

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