What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the amount of force the blood pumps against the walls of the arteries. Normal blood pressure pushes the blood from the heart to the body’s circulatory system (organs and muscles).
The blood pressure is recorded with two numbers, which are measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg), they are:
The systolic pressure: the higher number, the pressure when your heart pushes blood out.
The diastolic pressure: the lower number, the pressure when your heart rests between beats.
What are your numbers? It's important for everyone to check their blood pressure regularly and know their blood pressure numbers. If our blood pressure is “140 over 90” or 140/90mmHG, this means that you have a systolic pressure of 140mmHg and a diastolic of 90mmHg.
How is blood pressure measured?
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHG). Below is the general guide to measure your blood pressure:
- Ideal blood pressure or normal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg
- High blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher.
- Low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or lower.
There are many places you can test your blood pressure, you can test blood pressure using free machines in many pharmacies, track your blood pressure using online tools on your computer or smartphone and at home. By taking a bold steps now can prevent heart disease and stroke down the road.
Blood pressure can be checked at the following places:
- Doctor's office: You can check your blood pressure during every visit at your doctor.
- Pharmacy: Many have free machines that you can be used to check and know your numbers.
- At home: You'll find a range of cost options and some are free. Just ask your physician or pharmacist to help you find the right option for you either manual or automatic. Some of these devices record your results or can be connected to your tablet or phone.
The cause of high blood pressure is unknown but there are several things that can increase your risk. Some underlying conditions and medicine can cause the blood pressure to rise. Below are some of the things that can increase your blood pressure to be high:
High blood pressure can be triggered by some conditions, these conditions are:
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Long-term kidney infections: painful illness caused by bacteria travelling from your bladder into one or both of your kidneys.
- Obstructive sleep apnoea: a condition in which the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep interrupting normal breathing.
- Glomerulonephritis: Damage to the tiny filters inside your kidneys often caused by your immune system attacking healthy body tissue
- Hormone problems: such as underactive thyroid, an overactive thyroid, Cushing’s syndrome, acromegaly, increased levels of the hormone aldosterone (hyperaldosteronism) and phaeochromocytoma.
- Scleroderma: a condition that causes thickened skin, and sometimes problems with organs and blood vessels.
- The combined oral contraceptive pill
- Steroid medication
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen
- Some over-the-counter cough and cold remedies
- Some herbal remedies: those containing liquorice
- Some recreational drugs: such as cocaine and amphetamines
- Some selective serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SSNR) antidepressants such as venlafaxine
Who’s at risk of Blood pressure?
Factors that can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure includes:
- Age - the risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you get older
- Family history of high blood pressure
- Being of African or Caribbean origin
- High amount of salt in your food
- Lack of exercise
- Being overweight or obese
- Regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol
- Smoking
- Long-term sleep deprivation
Before checking your blood pressure, it is important to take the following into consideration:
- Don't have coffee or caffeine and don't smoke 30 minutes before a reading.
- Don't talk or eat while you check.
- Sit with your back supported and both feet on the floor.
- Get the cuff on your bare arm, not over your sleeve.
- Take more than one reading, especially if you get unusual numbers.
- Remember to talk with your health care provider to determine an appropriate blood pressure goal and treatment plan that's specific to your health.
Check yourself to know what is the cause of your high blood pressure and talk to your doctor because some medicine, drugs and lifestyle changes can normalise your blood pressure.
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