Beyond Origins the Discussion

Health Tips - Understanding The Importance Of Blood Pressure

April 3rd, 2008

The following extract is from a series of heart fitness articles, videos and tips about blood pressure …

It seems that the topic of blood pressure is often talked about and while most people know it’s important, not as many are clear about what it is and how or why high or low blood pressure really affects your health and wellbeing.

Blood is constantly moving throughout the body via the blood vessels and arteries. Blood pressure is the measurement of the force of the blood that is pushing against your artery walls as it passes through these.

Every time the heart beats, which is about 60 to 70 times a minute for an average, healthy person when resting, it pumps blood out through the arteries which then carry it to every part of your body.

The blood pressure reading is at its highest when the heart beats and pushes out blood. This is known as the systolic blood pressure. In between the beats your heart is at rest and the pressure in your arteries falls, this is known as the diastolic blood pressure reading.

Blood pressure measurements are always read as a pair of numbers representing the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure, which are both vital measurements. These numbers are normally written as one before the other separated with a slash, such as 110/75 mmHg. The first number, also referred to as the top number, is the systolic reading. The second number, or bottom number, is the reading for the diastolic blood pressure measurement.

When this pair of numbers is recorded, the systolic blood pressure reading is recorded first followed by the diastolic blood pressure reading and in speaking of these measurements, it is common to say “my blood pressure is 110 over 75″ which is recorded as 110/75.

Your blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day depending on what you are doing, your levels of stress and your emotional states. It will be at its lowest while at rest, especially when sleeping and rises during the day. If you spend most of your time sitting or standing it will remain relatively stable throughout the day.

The ideal blood pressure level is under 120/80. When the measurements stay consistently high, such as at the point of 140/90, then you are considered to have high blood pressure. This is a health concern because this condition causes the heart to work harder, which places stress on the arteries. It also raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney problems, such as kidney stones and kidney failure.

One typical question many people have is, what causes high blood pressure? Unfortunately, the answer is not simple and straightforward for many people because a single, specific cause cannot be pinpointed. This is known as primary or essential high blood pressure and there is ongoing research to discover the causes.

However, for others the condition is known to be a result of a particular medical problem they have or is caused by a medication they are taking. Under these conditions, this is known as secondary high blood pressure.

The blood pressure measurements give you and your health care provider vital details about your health situation today, as well as clues into possible future problems you might experience. This is why it’s important to keep an eye on your pressure and be sure to consult with your doctor if it is consistently above 140/90.

For more information on heart disease, visit: Health Topics

Entry Filed under: Health & Fitness