Blood Pressure (BP) Sometimes referred to as Arterial Blood Pressure,is the force of blood against
walls of arteries.
BP is recorded as two numbers - the Systolic Pressure (as the heart beats) over the Diastolic Pressure
(as the heart relaxes between beats).
The measurement blood pressure without further specification usually refers to the systemic arterial
pressure measured at a person's upper arm and is a measure of the pressure in the brachial artery,
major artery in the upper arm. A person’s blood pressure is usually expressed in terms of the systolic
pressure over diastolic pressure and is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), for example 140/90.
What is Normal Blood Pressure?
The heart is the muscle that pumps blood throughout the body during every second of our lives.
Low-oxygen blood is pumped towards the lungs, where it becomes oxygen-rich again. Oxygen-rich blood is
pumped by the heart around to body to supply tissue, muscle, organs and cells. This pumping generates
blood pressure.
Hypertension is when our blood pressure is too high, while hypotension is the opposite; it is when our
blood pressure is too low.
How is blood pressure measured?
Blood pressure is measured with a blood pressure cuff and recorded as two numbers, for example,
120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). Blood pressure measurements are usually taken at the upper arm
over the brachial artery.
 |
| Measurement of BP |
- The top, larger number is called the systolic pressure. This measures the pressure generated when the heart contracts (pumps). It reflects the pressure of the blood against arterial walls.
- The bottom, smaller number is called the diastolic pressure. This reflects the pressure in the arteries while the heart is filling and resting between heartbeats.
Normal blood pressure less than 120/80
Pre-hypertension 120-139/ 80-89
High blood pressure (stage 1) 140-159/90-99
High blood pressure (stage 2) higher than 160/100
As many as 60 million Americans have high blood pressure.
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure may be responsible for many cases of death and disability resulting from heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.
- According to research studies, the risk of dying of a heart attack is directly linked to high blood pressure, particularly systolic hypertension. The higher your blood pressure, the higher the risk. Maintaining lifelong control of hypertension decreases the future risk of complications such as heart attack and stroke.
The American Heart Association has recommended guidelines to define normal and high blood pressure.
Normal blood pressure less than 120/80
Pre-hypertension 120-139/ 80-89
High blood pressure (stage 1) 140-159/90-99
High blood pressure (stage 2) higher than 160/100
As many as 60 million Americans have high blood pressure.
..Uncontrolled high blood pressure may be responsible for many cases of death and disability resulting
from heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.
..According to research studies, the risk of dying of a heart attack is directly linked to high
blood pressure, particularly systolic hypertension. The higher your blood pressure, the higher the
risk. Maintaining lifelong control of hypertension decreases the future risk of complications such as
heart attack and stroke.
Blood Pressure Chart Fig
Systolic Vs. Diastolic Blood Pressure Range Chart
Units = millimeters of Mercury
Blood Pressure Causes :
In 90% of people with Hypertension, the cause of High Blood Pressure is not known and is referred to as primary or essential hypertension. While the specific cause is unknown, there are risk factors that can contribute to developing high blood pressure.
Factors that can not be changed :
Age: The older a person is, the greater the likelihood that he or she will develop high blood pressure,
especially elevated systolic readings. This is largely due to arteriosclerosis, or "hardening of the
arteries.
especially elevated systolic readings. This is largely due to arteriosclerosis, or "hardening of the
arteries.
Race: African Americans develop high blood pressure more often than Caucasians. They develop high blood pressure at a younger age and develop more severe complications sooner in life. Socioeconomic status: High blood pressure is found more commonly among the less educated and lower socioeconomic groups. Residents of the southeastern United States, both Caucasian and African American, are more likely to have high blood pressure than residents of other regions. Family history (heredity): The tendency to have high blood pressure appears to run in families.
Gender: Generally men have a greater likelihood of developing high blood pressure than women. This
likelihood varies according to age and among various ethnic groups.
Gender: Generally men have a greater likelihood of developing high blood pressure than women. This
likelihood varies according to age and among various ethnic groups.
Factors that can be changed :
Obesity : As body weight increases, the blood pressure rises. Obesity is defined as having a body mass
index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m. A BMI of 25-30 kg/m is considered overweight (BMI=weight in pounds x 703/ height in inches) Being overweight increases the risk of high blood pressure. Health care practitioners recommend that all obese people with high blood pressure lose weight until they are within 15% of their healthy body weight.
index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m. A BMI of 25-30 kg/m is considered overweight (BMI=weight in pounds x 703/ height in inches) Being overweight increases the risk of high blood pressure. Health care practitioners recommend that all obese people with high blood pressure lose weight until they are within 15% of their healthy body weight.
- Obese people are two to six times more likely to develop high blood pressure than people whose weight is within a healthy range.
- Not only the degree of obesity is important, but also the manner in which the body accumulates extra
fat. Some people gain weight around their belly (central obesity or "apple-shaped" people), while
others store fat around their hips and thighs ("pear-shaped" people). "Apple-shaped" people tend to
have greater health risks for high blood pressure than "pear-shaped" people.
Sodium (salt) sensitivity : Some people have high sensitivity to sodium (salt), and their blood pressure
increases if they use salt. Reducing sodium intake tends to lower their blood pressure. Americans
consume 10-15 times more sodium than they need. Fast foods and processed foods contain particularly
high amounts of sodium. Many over-the-counter medicines also contain large amounts of sodium. Read
food labels and learn about salt content in foods and other products as a healthy first step to
reducing salt intake. Fast food restaurants also make the salt and calorie content of their food
available to consumers at their restaurants.
increases if they use salt. Reducing sodium intake tends to lower their blood pressure. Americans
consume 10-15 times more sodium than they need. Fast foods and processed foods contain particularly
high amounts of sodium. Many over-the-counter medicines also contain large amounts of sodium. Read
food labels and learn about salt content in foods and other products as a healthy first step to
reducing salt intake. Fast food restaurants also make the salt and calorie content of their food
available to consumers at their restaurants.
Alcohol use: Drinking more than one to two drinks of alcohol per day tends to raise blood pressure in
those who are sensitive to alcohol.
Birth control pills (oral contraceptive use) : Some women who take birth control pills develop high
blood pressure.
Lack of exercise (physical inactivity): A sedentary lifestyle contributes to the development of
obesity and high blood pressure.
those who are sensitive to alcohol.
Birth control pills (oral contraceptive use) : Some women who take birth control pills develop high
blood pressure.
Lack of exercise (physical inactivity): A sedentary lifestyle contributes to the development of
obesity and high blood pressure.
Medications: Certain drugs, such as amphetamines (stimulants), diet pills, and some medications used
for cold and allergy symptoms such as pseudoephedrine, tend to raise blood pressure.
for cold and allergy symptoms such as pseudoephedrine, tend to raise blood pressure.
Symptoms :
High blood pressure usually causes no symptoms and high blood pressure often is labeled
"the silent killer." People who have high blood pressure typically don't know it until their blood
pressure is measured.
Sometimes people with markedly elevated blood pressure may develop:
High blood pressure usually causes no symptoms and high blood pressure often is labeled
"the silent killer." People who have high blood pressure typically don't know it until their blood
pressure is measured.
Sometimes people with markedly elevated blood pressure may develop:
- headache,
- dizziness,
- blurred vision,nausea and vomiting, and chest pain and shortness of breath.
People often do not seek medical care until they have symptoms arising from the organ damage caused by
chronic (ongoing, long-term) high blood pressure.
chronic (ongoing, long-term) high blood pressure.
The following types of organ damage are commonly seen in chronic high blood pressure:
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Kidney failure
- Eye damage with progressive vision loss
- Peripheral arterial disease causing leg pain with walking (claudication)
- Outpouchings of the aorta, called aneurysms
very severe, a condition known as malignant hypertension.
In malignant hypertension, the diastolic blood pressure (the lower number) often exceeds 140 mm Hg.
Malignant hypertension may be associated with headache, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, and stroke
like symptoms Malignant hypertension requires emergency intervention and lowering of blood pressure to prevent brain hemorrhage or stroke.
In malignant hypertension, the diastolic blood pressure (the lower number) often exceeds 140 mm Hg.
Malignant hypertension may be associated with headache, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, and stroke
like symptoms Malignant hypertension requires emergency intervention and lowering of blood pressure to prevent brain hemorrhage or stroke.
It is of utmost importance to realize that high blood pressure can be unrecognized for years, causing
no symptoms but causing progressive damage to the heart, other organs, and blood vessels.
no symptoms but causing progressive damage to the heart, other organs, and blood vessels.
Categories For Blood Pressure Levels in Adults :
(Age 18 years and Older)
Category BP Level(mmHg)
Systolic Diastolic
Normal <120 and <80
Prehypertension 120-139 or 80-89
High BP
Stage 1
Hypertension 140-159 or 90-99
Stage 2
Hypertension >=160 or >=100
Legend
< means Less Than
>= means GREATER THAN OR EQUALTO
< means Less Than
>= means GREATER THAN OR EQUALTO
When systolic and diastolic blood pressures fall into different categories, the higher category should
be used to classify blood pressure level. For example, 160/80 mmHg would be stage 2 hypertension
(high blood pressure).
Diagnosis :
Blood pressure is measured with a blood pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer). This may be done using a
stethoscope and a cuff and gauge or by an automatic machine. It is a routine part of the physical
examination and one of the vital signs often recorded for a patient visit. Other vital signs include
pulse rate, respiratory rate (breathing rate), temperature, and weight.
When discussing blood pressure issues, the health care practitioner may ask questions about past
medical history, family history, and medication use, including prescriptions, over-the-counter
medications, herbal remedies, and food additives. Other questions may include lifestyle habits,
including activity levels, smoking, alcohol consumption, and illegal drug use.
Physical examination may include listening to the heart and lungs, feeling for pulse in the wrist and ankles, and feeling and listening to the abdomen looking for signs of an enlarged aorta. Eye
examination with an ophthalmoscope may be helpful by looking at the small blood vessels on the retina
in the back of the eyeball.
- Normal Blood Pressure
Systolic less than 120 mm Hg; diastolic less than 80 mm Hg. - Prehypertension
Systolic 120-139 or diastolic 80-89 mm Hg. - High Blood Pressure
Stage 1: Systolic 140-159; diastolic 90-99 mm Hg
Stage 2: Systolic more than 160; diastolic more than 100 mm Hg.
for complications of hypertension. These include complete blood count (CBC), electrolytes,
BUN (blood urea nitrogen), and creatinine and GFR (glomerular filtration rate) to measure kidney
function. A fasting lipid profile will measure cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
If appropriate, blood tests may be considered to look for an underlying cause of high blood pressure
including abnormal thyroid or adrenal gland function.
Ultrasound of the kidneys, CT scan of the abdomen, or both may be done to assess damage or enlargement
of the kidneys and adrenal glands.
Other studies may be considered depending upon the individual patient's needs :
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) may help evaluate heart rate and rhythm. It is a screening test to help
assess heart muscle thickness. If hypertension is long-standing, the heart muscle has to hypertrophy,
or get larger, to push blood against the increased pressure within the arteries of the body. - Echocardiogram is an ultrasound examination of the heart It is used to evaluate the anatomy and the
function of the heart. A cardiologist is required to interpret this test and can evaluate the heart
muscle and determine how thick it is, whether it moves appropriately, and how efficiently it can push
blood out to the rest of the body. The echocardiogram can also assess heart valves, looking for
narrowing (stenosis) and leaking (insufficiency or regurgitation). A chest X-ray may be used as a
screening test to look for heart size, the shape of the aorta, and to assess the lungs. - Doppler ultrasound is used to check blood flow through arteries at pulse points in your arms, legs,
hands, and feet. This is an accurate way to detect peripheral vascular disease, which can be associated with high blood pressure. It also can measure blood flow in the arteries to both kidneys and sometimes depicts narrowings that can lead to high blood pressure in a minority of patients.
Prevention :
You can take steps to prevent high blood pressure by adopting a healthy lifestyle. These steps include
maintaining a healthy weight; being physically active; following a healthy eating plan, that emphasizes
fruits, vegetables, and lowfat dairy foods; choosing and preparing foods with less salt and sodium;
and, if you drink alcoholic beverages, drinking in moderation. In this section you will learn more
about healthy lifestyle habits for preventing and controlling high blood pressure.
You can take steps to prevent high blood pressure by adopting a healthy lifestyle. These steps include
maintaining a healthy weight; being physically active; following a healthy eating plan, that emphasizes
fruits, vegetables, and lowfat dairy foods; choosing and preparing foods with less salt and sodium;
and, if you drink alcoholic beverages, drinking in moderation. In this section you will learn more
about healthy lifestyle habits for preventing and controlling high blood pressure.
- Healthy Eating
- Reduce Sodium
- Healthy Weight
- Physical Activity
- Limit Alcohol
- Quit Smoking
- Other Factors
Blood pressure control is a lifelong challenge. Hypertension can progress through the years, and treatments that worked earlier in life may need to be adjusted over time. Blood pressure control may involve a stepwise approach beginning with diet, weight loss, and lifestyle changes and eventually adding medications as required. In some situations, medications may be recommended immediately. As with many diseases, the health care practitioner and patient work together as a team to find the treatment plan that will work for that specific individual.
Medical Treatment :
In about half of people with high blood pressure, limiting sodium intake by eliminating table salt,
cooking salt, and salty and processed foods can reduce blood pressure by 5 mm Hg. Losing weight and
participating in regular physical activity can reduce blood pressure further.
If these lifestyle changes and choices don't work, medications should be added. The medications have
been proven to reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, and kidney problems. Do not stop taking your
medications without talking to your health care practitioner.
Self-Care at Home :
The management and control of high blood pressure involves two major options, lifestyle modification
and medication.
Lifestyle Modifications to Manage High Blood Pressure :
Weight Control :
Weight Control :
- Aim for a healthy weight range for your height and body type. Your health care practitioner can help you calculate a healthy target weight.
- Even a small amount of weight loss can make a major difference in lowering or preventing high blood pressure.
- You must burn more calories than you take in to lose weight.
- Crash or fad diets are not helpful and may be dangerous.
- Some weight loss medications also carry major risks and may even elevate blood pressure, and great caution is advised in using these drugs. Please ask your health care practitioner or pharmacist for help in deciding if a weight loss medication is appropriate for your situation.
- Physical activity reduces total cholesterol and bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein or LDL) and
raises the good cholesterol (high density lipoprotein or HDL). - Both the American Heart Association (AHA) and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week.
- Physical activity includes many daily activities such as cleaning the house, raking the lawn, and
walking. Other possible sources of activity can include using the stairs instead of an elevator or
escalator, walking for errands instead of driving a car, and participating in a sport or social
activity such dancing.
Other Therapy :
Alternative therapies may be helpful to people trying to control their blood pressure.
- Acupuncture and biofeedback are well-accepted alternative techniques that may help some people with high blood pressure.
- Techniques that induce relaxation and reduce stress are recommended. These include meditation, yoga, and relaxation training.
- These techniques alone may not control high blood pressure for many people. They should not be used as a substitute for medical therapy without first consulting with your health care practitioner.
- Examples include vitamins, garlic, Fish oil, L-Argentine, soy, co-enzyme Q10, Herbs, Phytosterols, and Chelation Therapy.
- While these substances may be beneficial, the exact nature of their benefits is not known.
- Scientific studies have produced no evidence that these therapies lower blood pressure or prevent
the complications of high blood pressure. - Most of these substances are harmless if taken in moderate doses. Most people can take them without problems.
- Talk to your health care practitioner if you are considering any of these treatments. Substituting
these therapies for medical therapies that have been shown to lower blood pressure and the risk of
complications may have a harmful effect on your health.
Follow-up
The most important element in the management of high blood pressure is follow-up care.- Routine blood pressure check-ups are important to monitor readings and decide upon a treatment plan.
- With age and the natural progression of hardening of the arteries, systolic blood pressure may
elevate over time. A treatment that once worked well may no longer work as well and your medication treatment may need to be changed. - Routine physical exams and screening blood tests may be suggested to help monitor the success of
blood pressure management. - Follow-up visits are a good time to discuss with your health care practitioner any medication side
effects you are experiencing. He or she will have suggestions for managing side effects or may change
your treatment. - Follow-up visits are a great opportunity for monitoring for other associated risk factors, such as
high cholesterol, smoking cessation, and obesity.
High Blood Pressure Outlook:
Lifelong control of hypertension will minimize the risk of developing heart attack, stroke, kidney
failure, blindness, and a variety of other illnesses. Unlike other illnesses in which medications are
taken for only a short period of time, high blood pressure medication is usually expected to be taken
for the rest of the individual's life. It is uncommon, but not rare, that significant lifestyle
changes can lower blood pressure readings to normal.
Untreated or poorly controlled high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke,
and kidney failure. That is why high blood pressure is called "the silent killer."
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failure, blindness, and a variety of other illnesses. Unlike other illnesses in which medications are
taken for only a short period of time, high blood pressure medication is usually expected to be taken
for the rest of the individual's life. It is uncommon, but not rare, that significant lifestyle
changes can lower blood pressure readings to normal.
Untreated or poorly controlled high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke,
and kidney failure. That is why high blood pressure is called "the silent killer."
Just click Link Below Products related to High B.P Solutions :
High Blood Pressure Exercise Program - Blue Heron Health News! The Unique Hypertension Exercise Program Sells like Crazy!Click Here!
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