What Is Blood Pressure
The pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the artery is termed as blood pressure. It is measured in millimetre of mercury and has two parts. They are
- Systolic Pressure: Systolic pressure is the numerator part of the blood pressure or medically speaking it is the pressure that is produced when the heart pushes out blood from arteries to the full body.
- Diastolic Pressure: Diastolic pressure is the denominator part of the blood pressure that arises in arteries between the resting period of the beats. During this time, the heart fills with blood and oxygen.
Example: If the blood pressure is 120 over 80 or 120/80 mmHg, it means you have a systolic pressure of 120 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 80 mmHg. The ideal blood pressure ranges between 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg.
Side Effects Of High Blood Pressure
Dangers of untreated high blood pressure include stroke, heart attack, heart failure, vision loss, kidney failure, vascular dementia and sexual dysfunction, says Dr. Desai. Its one of the top risk factors for developing atrial fibrillation, which is the most common heart rhythm disorder worldwide and can lead to stroke, heart failure and reduced quality of life.
A Summary Of Pediatric Bp Categories Stages And Follow
- The table was recreated from the articles listed below. Given that there were slight variations in BP values, we elected to include both percentiles and BP ranges.
|
Elevated or persistent or pre-HTN |
90th to 95th percentile |
|---|---|
|
< 95th percentile in a medical setting. > 95th percentile outside a medical setting |
Consider ABPM in high-risk patients. |
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Common Conditions Linked To Bp
Chronic Kidney disease is a common condition that can cause high blood pressure. CKD is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood properly. If you have CKD, it is important to control your BP to prevent further damage to the kidneys.
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the rest of the body. This can cause fluid to build up in the lungs and other organs, leading to high blood pressure. If you have heart failure, it is important to control your BP to prevent further damage to the heart and other organs.
Peripheral artery disease is a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked. This can cause pain and cramping in the legs and feet and can lead to high blood pressure. If you have PAD, it is important to control your BP.
Signs And Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure may not have any symptoms and so hypertension has been labeled the silent killer. Longstanding high blood pressure can lead to multiple complications including heart attack, kidney disease, or stroke.
Some people experience symptoms with their high blood pressure. These symptoms include:
- The Feeling of pulsations in the neck or head
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How Can I Control My Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is very common in older people. As we age, our vascular system changes. Arteries get stiffer, so blood pressure goes up. This is true even for people who have heart-healthy habits. The good news is that blood pressure can be controlled in most people.
There are many lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of high blood pressure:
If these lifestyle changes dont lower your blood pressure to a safe level, your doctor will also prescribe medicine. You may try several kinds or combinations of medicines before finding a plan that works best for you. Medicine can control your blood pressure, but it cant cure it. You will likely need to take medicine for the rest of your life. Plan with your doctor how to manage your blood pressure.
Normal Blood Pressure For Men
Men are recommended to have an average normal blood pressure of 120/80 however, as we have noted, there are varying factors to consider when determining what works for each person. What is normal for a man in his 30s is not deemed a normal reading for a man in his 60s.
The following are the average blood pressures and the corresponding lows and highs for men from ages 15 to 64 years.
| Age |
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High Blood Pressure And Older Adults
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High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major health problem that is common in older adults. Your bodys network of blood vessels, known as the vascular system, changes with age. Arteries get stiffer, causing blood pressure to go up. This can be true even for people who have heart-healthy habits and feel just fine. High blood pressure, sometimes called “the silent killer,” often does not cause signs of illness that you can see or feel. Though it affects nearly half of all adults, many may not even be aware they have it.
If high blood pressure isn’t controlled with lifestyle changes and medication, it can lead to serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease such as heart disease and stroke, vascular dementia, eye problems, and kidney disease. The good news is that blood pressure can be controlled in most people.
What Do The Different Blood Pressure Numbers Mean
When checking blood pressure, there are two different numbers, presented like a fraction, that measure when the heart is pumping blood versus when the heart is at rest. These numbers are known as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and the reading indicates what level of blood pressure a person is experiencing. An example of a blood pressure reading would be:120/80.
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Low Systolic Blood Pressure
If the systolic blood pressure is lower than normal, its called hypotension. If this low blood pressure is serious enough, it can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting. If it lasts long enough and it isnt treated, it may cause organs like your kidneys to start shutting down.
Systolic hypotension can occur if the amount of blood in your body becomes too low. This can happen if you are severely dehydrated or you have major bleeding there just isnt enough blood to push through the body.
It also may happen if the heart muscle is too weak to push blood normally, as in cases of cardiomyopathy or if the arteries suddenly widen too much, as in vasovagal syncope .
Sometimes this low blood pressure happens when you change positions suddenly. You may feel dizzy when you stand up because gravity is pulling blood down toward your feet. This is a common condition called orthostatic hypotension.
What Is Normal Blood Pressure By Age
Whats considered normal blood pressure varies by age in children and teens.
| Systolic | |
| Newborns up to 1 month | 6090 mm Hg |
In adulthood, the average blood pressures by age and gender are:
| Women | |
| 139/68 mm Hg | 133/69 mm Hg |
Beyond the averages in the blood pressure chart by age and gender above, adult blood pressure falls into one of five categories:
| Category | ||
| High Blood Pressure Stage 1 | 130139 | |
| High Blood Pressure Stage 2 | 140 or higher | |
| Hypertensive Crisis Consult your doctor immediately | Higher than 180 | Higher than 120 |
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Side Effects Of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure may not be discussed as often as high blood pressure, but it should be addressed, as prolonged low blood pressure can negatively affect your organs.
A certain amount of blood pressure is needed to maintain blood flow to the organs, says Dr. Wong. The blood supplies oxygen and nutrients to these organs. If the blood pressure is too low, an adequate blood supply cannot get to these organs.
If left untreated, low blood pressure can increase your risk of fainting, heart attack and organ damage, adds Dr. Desai.
What Factors Influence Blood Pressure
- Age: Blood pressure tend to increase with age.
- Gender: Women after puberty have low BP than men, whereas, after menopause, women tend high BP.
- Genetics/family history: A family history puts you at risk of high BP.
- Weight: Being overweight or obese increases your risk of high BP.
- Diurnal variation: BP is lower in the morning and gradually increases throughout the day.
- Stress: BP increases during stress, emotions, fear, and anger situations due to stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.
- Exercise: Physical activity increases BP, but regular exercises can keep BP in the lower range of normal.
- Pregnancy:Progesterone relaxes the walls of blood vessels, causing decreased peripheral vascular resistance. Some women may develop pregnancy-induced hypertension.
- Diseases: Diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Cushings syndrome, and pheochromocytoma can cause high BP.
- Medications: Certain medications can affect BP such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and prednisone.
- Alcohol or tobacco consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can increase your BP.
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Inadequate Amount Of Potassium In Your Diet
Your diet needs to have enough potassium to enhance blood flow in the arteries by balancing sodium in the cells. If your diet has sufficient potassium, it helps the muscle cells in the arteries to relax. Relaxed muscle cells lower your blood pressure.
Some of the primary sources of potassium include
1. Dried fruits such as apricots and raisins
2. Beans, lentils, potatoes
3. Winter squash such as butternut and acorn
4. Avocadoes, bananas, oranges, orange juice
5. Tomatoes, coconut water
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Average Ranges Show Normal Pressure On The Arteries
Blood pressure measures the force pressed against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your body.
Average blood pressure differs by sex and tends to rise with age. It’s important to know how blood pressure affects your health.
This article covers how healthcare providers differentiate between “normal” blood pressure and hypertension and includes blood pressure charts by age and gender. It will also discuss the health risks involved with hypertension, how you can monitor your blood pressure, and when you should call your healthcare provider.
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Elderly Blood Pressure Range
According to the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association , people above 65 years of age should try to maintain a healthy blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg. As at this age, if the pressure fluctuates or increases, there is a high risk of heart attack or cardiovascular problems.
Below is the elderly blood pressure chart:
| Blood Pressure Category for Adults above 65 | Systolic mmHg |
| 180 or higher | 120 or higher |
Low Blood Pressure:The level below 90/60 mmHg is considered as low pressure. Low blood pressure is common in women as 2 out of 10 suffer from low blood pressure or hypotension. It is caused due to lack of minerals such as calcium and iron. Doctors mainly advised them to increase the level of salt intake, take sufficient amounts of protein and minerals. Low blood pressure may cause dizziness or fainting and have the risk of falling down.
Normal Blood Pressure:People with systolic pressure lower than or equal to 120mmHg and diastolic pressure around 80mmHg are said to have a normal or ideal blood pressure.
Elevated Blood Pressure:In this category, the systolic pressure ranges from 120-129 mmHg and the diastolic pressure is around 80 mmHg. This phase is initial stage of high blood pressure. You need to control your BP if you are in this stage, else it can make you a high blood pressure patient in future. It occurs due to sudden change in lifestyle and can be controlled by physical exercises, lowering salt intake and reducing alcohol.
Whats The Impact Of Having High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases such as:
- coronary heart disease where the main arteries that supply your heart become clogged up with plaques
- strokes a serious condition where the blood supply to your brain is interrupted
- heart attacks a serious condition where the blood supply to part of your heart is blocked
Diabetes and kidney disease are also linked to high blood pressure complications.
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Why Is High Blood Pressure Called A Silent Killer
High blood pressure is often called a silent killer because it can cause damage to the body without any obvious symptoms. This means that many people who have high blood pressure may not even know it, until they experience problems such as a heart attack or stroke. A rapid pulse, sweating, and headache are just a few of the symptoms that may be experienced in an emergency. If you think you may be experiencing these symptoms, it is important to seek medical help immediately.
Remember, maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do to lower your blood pressure. Being overweight or obese puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels, which can lead to hypertension. Losing even a small amount of weight can make a big difference in your blood pressure readings. So if youre carrying around a few extra pounds, now is the time to start shedding them!
What Is Systolic Blood Pressure
Systolic blood pressure measures how much pressure your blood exerts against your artery walls. The pressure within our arteries changes with every heartbeat, says Ian Del Conde Pozzi, M.D., a cardiologist and vascular medicine specialist at the Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. When the heart contracts, it pumps extra blood into the circulatory system, increasing the pressure. That increase is measured by systolic blood pressure.
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How To Take Blood Pressure
You can take your blood pressure at home using a wrist blood pressure monitor or an upper arm cuff blood pressure monitor. Experts typically recommend upper arm cuffs because they are the most accurate. Upper arm cuffs can come with either a manual or digital monitor. Both work well, but if youre measuring your blood pressure on your own regularly, a digital one will likely be easiest to use correctly.
To take your blood pressure accurately with a digital upper arm cuff, start by sitting quietly in an upright position for a few minutes, allowing your body a moment to relax. Be mindful to uncross your legs and ankles, as well as use comfortable support for your back.
With the monitor sitting on a table in front of you, place your arm next to itat approximately heart leveland place the cuff around your bare upper arm about one inch above your elbow. Secure the cuff so that you can only slide a fingertip under the top edge.
Next, simply turn on the monitor, press the start button, and take normal breaths as the cuff inflates and deflates, measuring your blood pressure and producing your reading on the screen.
Your Blood Pressure Numbers And What They Mean
Your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers:
- Systolic blood pressure indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when the heart beats.
- Diastolic blood pressure indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while the heart is resting between beats.
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When To Contact A Doctor
A person should ask a doctor to test their blood pressure every 2 years beginning at age 18. People older than age 40 or younger but with an elevated risk of high blood pressure should ask their doctor for a blood pressure test annually.
If a person has abnormal blood pressure, they may need to check their blood pressure more often.
Isolated incidences of low blood pressure are not a cause for concern, but a person should seek medical advice if other symptoms accompany it. A person should record their symptoms, activities, and when they occur to assist with diagnosis.
It is important that a person seek medical advice if they think they may have high blood pressure, or know that they do and do not have it under control.
Healthcare professionals can help people put together a plan of action to lower their blood pressure and decrease the risk of long-term complications.
Pediatric Vital Signs Normal Ranges Summary Table:
-
Values were derived from numerous sources and reflect the most up-to-date guidelines. Normal ranges may include measurements that deviate from these values. Note that the patients normal range and clinical condition should always be considered.
|
*Age Group |
|
|
55-90 |
50-90 |
* For Newborn infants, BP values vary considerably during the first few weeks of life and the definition of HTN in preterm and term neonates also varies. Data have been compiled on neonatal BP values and the summary table is available. Please note that no alternative data have been developed recently. For further information, please see the following articles:
Dionne, J. M., et al. . Hypertension in infancy: diagnosis, management, and outcome. Pediatr Nephrol 27: 17-32.
Dionne, J. M., et al. . Hypertension Canadas 2017 Guidelines for the Diagnosis, Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment of Pediatric Hypertension. Can J Cardiol 33: 577-585.
Report of the Second Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children1987. Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland. Pediatrics 79: 1-25.
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