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What is Blood Pressure?
It is the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels as heart pumps it around body. It helps to ensure that oxygen and nutrients reach all parts of the body to keep them healthy.
Why is BP Important?
A normal BP is important for better health. It makes our body work by allowing the flow of blood through our veins and arteries to supply energy and oxygen. However, if our pressure goes too high, which is called hypertension, or too low, which is called hypotension, it would result in many health problems such as heart diseases, strokes, or kidney issues.
How is it Measured?
it is measured by using tool called sphygmomanometer, which is the instrument used to measure blood pressure.
It is measured by two numbers:
a. Systolic Pressure: The pressure when your heart beats and pumps blood. The normal systolic pressure is 120mmHg, which is always written top.
b. Diastolic pressure :The pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. The normal diastolic pressure is 80 mmHg, which is always written below.
These numbers are written in a ratio, one number atop the other: such as 120/80 mmHg. When is 120/80 mmHg then it is considered normal BP.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High BP is a condition in which your blood pushes against the walls of your arteries with too much force. According to WHO it is considered hypertension when our BP reaches 140/90 mmHg or higher. Following are some of the common causes;
A. Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits:
a. Poor Diet: Consuming too much salty or processed food and not enough fresh fruits and vegetables can raise your blood pressure.
b. Lack of Physical Activity: The inability to exercise enough renders the heart weaker and less efficient in pumping blood.
c. Drinking and Smoking: Too much alcohol and smoking can damage blood vessels, making blood travel harder.
B. Family History:
Blood pressure disorders run in some families. If your immediate parents or siblings have it, your chance of getting the condition increases.
C. Chronic Health Problems:
Prolonged illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease, and sleep apnea raise the level of blood pressure.
Symptoms of high BP
Usually, there are no symptoms associated with high blood pressure. Many people are unaware that they have it.
In rare cases, signs of high blood pressure include:
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Discomfort in the chest. etc.
Things to do;
- Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet.
- Engage in regular exercise; try to do least 150 minutes per week.
- If you are overweight, lose weight.
Things not to do;
- Do not eat too much salt– avoid salty food or adding salt to the meals.
- Do not drink too much alcohol – avoid drinking more than 14 alcohol units a week on a regular basis.
- Do not drink too much caffeine.
- do not smoke.
Low Blood Pressure (BP) (Hypotension)
Hypotension means when pressure has gone down enough that blood flow to the organs is reduced. According to WHO it is considered low when blood pressure reaches 90/60 mmHg or lesser. Common causes include:
A. Insufficient Amount of Fluids (Dehydration):
When you are not drinking enough water, you become dehydrated and lose fluids; as a result, this reduces the volume of blood in your system, leading to low blood pressure.
B. Blood Loss:
Severe blood loss from trauma or surgery will result in the body not being able to produce enough pressure. Hormonal Imbalances
C. Hormonal Disorders
Hormonal disorders such as Addison’s disease and thyroid problems disturb the balance of hormones that regulate blood pressure. A healthy life, fluid intake, and timely treatment of health disorders can keep blood pressure within a healthy range.
Other causes
- Heart Problems i.e heart failure, arrhythmia.
- Infections i.e. Septic shock, toxic shock syndrome, or other severe infections.
- Herbal supplements and vitamins
symptoms of low blood pressure
- lightheadedness or dizziness
- feeling sick
- blurred vision
- generally feeling weak
- confusion
- fainting
How to reduce low blood pressure symptoms?
Things to do;
- Do carefully rise from a seated position to a standing one.
- Move carefully from laying to sitting to standing when getting out of bed.
- Eat small, frequent meals; it may also be beneficial to lie down or be motionless for a bit after eating.
- Make sure you consume more water
Things not to do ;
- Avoid prolonged standing or sitting.
- Avoid bending over or abruptly shifting your position.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
Key Takeaways:
It is central in your health, and maintenance within a normal range is highly linked to preventing future problems. High and low BP have the capacity to impact your health, and this makes monitoring even more vital.
Why Monitoring Matters:
The ability to frequently monitor your BP facilitates early change detection. Often, it can be kept in a healthy range through simple life modifications.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help:
If ever in doubt about one’s BP, seek a doctor without wasting any time. Early action can make all the difference in staying healthy.
