What is Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the artery walls. High blood pressure (hypertension) and low blood pressure (hypotension) can both cause cardiovascular problems.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring or tilt table tests may be used to diagnose these conditions. There are many types of high blood pressure, which may be treated with antihypertensive medications, such as diuretics, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors.

How Blood Pressure is measured?

Hypertension can be mild, moderate or severe. Your blood pressure is naturally higher when you are exerting yourself, such as during physical exercise. It is only a concern if your blood pressure is high when you are at rest, because this means your heart is overworked and your arteries have extra stress in their walls.

Blood pressure is measured in two ways:

Systolic - the highest pressure against the arteries as the heart pumps. The normal systolic pressure is usually between 110 and 130 mm Hg.

Diastolic - the pressure against the arteries as the heart relaxes and fills with blood. The normal diastolic pressure is usually between 70 and 80 mm Hg.

Normal Blood Pressure
Levels around 130/80 and below are absolutely fine. Doctors are generally concerned when levels are consistently greater than 140/90, as this is the level above which blood pressure starts significantly contributing to the long term risk of increased cardiovascular problems (strokes and heart attacks).

Depending on the exact classification used, pressures around 140-150/90-100 would be called mild hypertension. Pressures around 150-170/100-110 would be called moderate, and pressures higher, e.g. 200/120 would be considered fairly severe.

In reality blood pressure is a continuum, and it is sometimes difficult to be categoric about exactly what category a person is in. The higher the pressure is, the greater the risk that it will lead to further problems.

Causes of High Blood Pressure
The causes of high blood pressure vary. Causes may include narrowing of the arteries, a greater than normal volume of blood, or the heart beating faster or more forcefully than it should. Any of these conditions will cause increased pressure against the artery walls. High blood pressure might also be caused by another medical problem. Most of the time, the cause is not known. Although high blood pressure usually cannot be cured, in most cases it can be prevented and controlled.

Keep High Blood pressure under control
If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, it’s extremely important that you follow your doctor’s treatment guidelines to the letter. These guidelines include keeping your diet low in fat, reducing your salt intake, quitting smoking, and limiting your alcohol consumption.

In addition, you should exercise regularly, keep your weight within normal bounds, and learn to manage stress (instead of letting it manage you). Some recent research suggests that constant stress and pressure may predispose some men to continually elevated blood pressure later in life.

Treatment of High Blood Pressure
Treatment of high blood pressure is depended on how high it is and on what other ‘risk factors’ one have for heart disease and stroke.

Blood Pressure between 140/90-160/100mmHg will simply require some changes in lifestyle. You will probably not need to take tablets providing that the changes you make work. However, some people with a blood pressure in this range may be asked to take tablets if they are older or have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as high cholesterol, smoking or already have complications such as a previous stroke or heart attack.

So, if you have a blood pressure reading in this range you may need to make the following changes to your lifestyle:

* Cut down the amount of salt you are eating to 6 grams each day or less
* Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, preferably more
* Be physically active at least five times a weeks for at least 30 minutes
* Lose weight if you are overweight
* Cut down on the amount of alcohol you are drinking if it is excessive, ie, men should drink no more than three or four units a day, women no more than two or three units each day

If your blood pressure is consistently over 160/100mmHg then you will probably be given tablets to take as well as being asked to make changes to your lifestyle. The aim of this treatment is to lower your blood pressure down to below 140/85mmHg whilst making sure that you feel fit and well. If you have diabetes or have had a previous stroke or heart attack you may be asked to lower your blood pressure further, to 130/80mmHg. A small number of people may find their blood pressure very difficult to control even with medication.