Can someone please explain to me how blood pressure works? in other words when the doctor takes your blood pressure what is he looking for? also when i had a c-section i got sparks in my eyes for about 20 seconds, i know it had to do with my blood pressure but how?
2007-09-09 00:54:08 · 4 answers · asked by emesumau 4 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
As the person above wrote, it is the pressure of contraction achieved by the ventricles and that gives the top number (systolic) and the resting, or in-between, being the lower number (diastolic). This is also referred to as the "ambient" pressure as well.
When we take a blood pressure, we're looking for what levels these numbers are. Optimal pressure is 120/80, or slightly lower without adverse effects. Most healthy and active people would have this kind of blood pressure. If we see these numbers MUCH higher, then it can be signs of hypertension (if repeated BP readings remain elevated and consistently high.) Medication that we prescribe are in several varieties and work in different receptors in the body that help to control it. Sometimes, just simple lifestyle changes can help reduce ones' blood pressure significantly (e.g. salt, caffeine, alcohol, lack of exercise, and weight).
As for the C-section and sparks in your eyes, unless you know for sure you had a sudden spike in your blood pressure, I would think this having more to do with the anesthetic (spinal) than anything. However, a sudden surge in pressure may mimic the same thing, but most people would also feel rather dizzy, I believe. Do you know how "high" your pressure got? That would help.
Hope this helps to answer things for you.
2007-09-09 01:09:45 · answer #1 · answered by sdg-FNP 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being an untrained lay person I can only give you my best analogy. Imagine a baloon with air pressure inside. The more that the air presses against the walls of the balloon the more the balloon must stretch, and if the balloon walls don't stretch but are stiff and offer resistance the higher the pressure will be. If you have problems such as hardening of the arteries they have less elastisity and your heart must work harder to push the blood along the blood vessel 'pipeline', therefore the instrument that measures blood pressure will register higher than normal.
2007-09-12 14:46:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The top number is the systolic pressure, which is when the heart is in contraction and pumping the blood. The bottom number is the diastolic pressure which is the 'resting' pressure of the arteries when the heart is refilling.
2007-09-09 00:59:22 · answer #3 · answered by Gray Wanderer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Normal blood pressure is 120/80 but lower down to 90/60 is much better. Anything over 140/90 is too high and needs treatment. Below 90/60 is too low.
2007-09-09 14:43:04 · answer #4 · answered by Susan Yarrawonga 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋