Blood pressure is the measurement of pressure created when the heart pumps blood through the body. Normal blood pressure is around 120/80, and hypertension or hypotension can be dangerous. Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer, and a deviation from normal suggests a medical problem. Lifestyle changes can help fix abnormal readings.
Blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure created when the heart pumps blood through the veins and arteries of the body, and normal blood pressure is the reading most healthy adults have when their blood pressure is tested. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can be very dangerous, as can hypotension, low blood pressure. The normal value for healthy young adults is around 120/80, while children tend to have slightly lower blood pressure and older people have blood pressure that can be slightly higher. If your blood pressure exceeds 140/90, you will likely be asked to consider treating it, first with dietary changes and possibly medication as well. The goal for healthy people is to achieve and maintain normal blood pressure.
The two values in a blood pressure measurement are systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the highest point, the moment when the heart contracts to push blood throughout the body. Diastolic blood pressure is the lowest point, when the heart relaxes and fills with blood before pumping again. To measure blood pressure, a doctor uses a sphygmomanometer, a device that can measure blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured because blood pressure readings slowly decrease as blood travels through the body, making blood pressure a more accurate measure of health. A deviation from normal blood pressure suggests a medical problem.
When a patient’s blood pressure is taken, a pressure cuff or cuff is placed on the arm above the elbow. Blood pressure is measured at rest, with the legs and arms relaxed and the back supported. The cuff is inflated to apply pressure, causing the pulse in the radial artery to momentarily disappear. Next, the cuff is slowly deflated to measure how much pressure the heart is using to open the artery that has been temporarily blocked by the cuff. In the case of a patient with normal blood pressure, the value is recorded and the patient is often congratulated on his normal blood pressure value.
During routine medical examinations, blood pressure is always taken because it can indicate underlying health problems, while normal blood pressure can suggest that the patient is in good health. Some patients with abnormal blood pressure show no symptoms and may not be aware of the problem until brought to their attention in a doctor’s office. Many factors can affect blood pressure levels including diet, exercise, physical condition, stress and tension. These are taken into account when looking at blood pressure readings, and if the patient is under extreme stress, he or she may be asked to relax so that a normal blood pressure reading can be taken.
If you get an abnormal blood pressure reading, it will usually be checked again to make sure it is correct. If the reading is accurate, the doctor will talk to the patient about their lifestyle and habits to see if a cause for the abnormal reading can be pinpointed. The doctor and patient will also discuss lifestyle changes that could be made to fix the problem, and the doctor can schedule follow-up appointments to rule out other medical problems through routine testing. During these follow-up appointments, the patient will be tested regularly until they have reached a normal blood pressure level, at which point a maintenance regimen will be established.
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