Understanding Your Blood Pressure Readings
If you have reason to become worried about your blood pressure, you should 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 should talk to your doctor and he will give you some numbers, then you can buy a blood pressure monitor and keep an eye on your condition.
When you are given your blood pressure reading by either your doctor or your machine, you will be given two numbers, say 120/80.
The first number is your systolic blood pressure. The systolic pressure is when 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 generally accepted that that means numbers below 120/80. These figures relate to a healthy person but can be achieved by almost anyone by maintaining a healthy active lifestyle.
The second stage is known as 'Prehypertension' and relates to arterial pressures between 'normal' and 140/90. This is the warning stage that you should be doing something to decrease your arterial pressure. This could mean: a change 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 really need to see your GP and he will advocate serious alterations to your lifestyle along the lines suggested above or / and he will put you on tablets.
The fourth stage is called 'Hypertension Stage Two' and is anything above 160/100. This is quite dangerous and your GP will want to get you to make radical changes to your lifestyle and / or take medication which could be for the remainder of your life. If you reach this stage get to your doctor's as soon as you can.
While you are talking about your arterial pressure with your doctor, be sure you tell him about any other medicine you are taking, because some medication will raise arterial pressure as well. Examples of medication that can raise your arterial pressure are: anti-depressants, oral contraceptives and anti-flu or anti-cough treatments.
There are other things that can affect 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 inhibit you from sleeping in the correct manner?
Fear, anger and anxiety are also causes of high arterial pressure. So is constipation, drinking too much and smoking. So, before you let your medical doctor prescribe medication to reduce your blood pressure, make sure he is aware of all your circumstances.
When you are given your blood pressure reading by either your doctor or your machine, you will be given two numbers, say 120/80.
The first number is your systolic blood pressure. The systolic pressure is when 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 generally accepted that that means numbers below 120/80. These figures relate to a healthy person but can be achieved by almost anyone by maintaining a healthy active lifestyle.
The second stage is known as 'Prehypertension' and relates to arterial pressures between 'normal' and 140/90. This is the warning stage that you should be doing something to decrease your arterial pressure. This could mean: a change 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 really need to see your GP and he will advocate serious alterations to your lifestyle along the lines suggested above or / and he will put you on tablets.
The fourth stage is called 'Hypertension Stage Two' and is anything above 160/100. This is quite dangerous and your GP will want to get you to make radical changes to your lifestyle and / or take medication which could be for the remainder of your life. If you reach this stage get to your doctor's as soon as you can.
While you are talking about your arterial pressure with your doctor, be sure you tell him about any other medicine you are taking, because some medication will raise arterial pressure as well. Examples of medication that can raise your arterial pressure are: anti-depressants, oral contraceptives and anti-flu or anti-cough treatments.
There are other things that can affect 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 inhibit you from sleeping in the correct manner?
Fear, anger and anxiety are also causes of high arterial pressure. So is constipation, drinking too much and smoking. So, before you let your medical doctor prescribe medication to reduce your blood pressure, make sure he is aware of all your circumstances.
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