Blood Pressure?

Question

I seen a program last night where they advised this man that his blood pressure was high.

They told him that his pressure was x over y (eg 70 over 30)

Can somebody explain what this means please? The over bit.

Thanks

Answer 1

Blood pressure is expressed as two numbers. The measurement is millimeters of mercury. The top number expresses the amount of pressure when the blood vessels are at work and the bottom number expresses the amount of pressure on the vessels at rest. EX. 120/70. It is expressed as one twenty over seventy. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

The first (higher) number is the "systolic" pressure and the second is the diastolic. The first refers to the pressure in your blood vessels when the heart is "squeezing" and the second when it is resting between pulses. Normal blood pressure is usually said to be 120/70. Usually high blood pressure has both numbers higher than they should be but occasionally there is a case of "isolated" systolic high blood pressure when, say, the reading is 140/70. In recent years, we are told to aim for 115/65 on the grounds that lower is better with the important exception that blood pressure too low can cause fainting and worse.

Answer 3

Blood pressure is a measurement of the force applied to the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force and amount of blood pumped, and the size and flexibility of the arteries.

Blood pressure is continually changing depending on activity, temperature, diet, emotional state, posture, physical state, and medication use.


Blood pressure is usually measured while you are seated with your arm resting on a table. Your arm should be slightly bent so that it is at the same level as your heart. The upper arm should be bare, with your sleeve comfortably rolled up.

Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and usually given as 2 numbers. For example, 110 over 70 (written as 110/70).

The top number is the systolic blood pressure reading. It represents the maximum pressure exerted when the heart contracts.
The bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure reading. It represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest.
To obtain your blood pressure measurement, your health care provider will wrap the blood pressure cuff snugly around your upper arm, positioning it so that the lower edge of the cuff is 1 inch above the bend of the elbow.


Next, the valve is opened slightly, allowing the pressure to fall gradually (2 to 3 mmHg per second). As the pressure falls, the level on the dial or mercury tube at which the pulsing is first heard is recorded. This is the systolic pressure

As the air continues to be let out, the sounds will disappear. The point at which the sound disappears is recorded. This is the diastolic pressure (the lowest amount of pressure in the arteries as the heart rests).

The procedure may be performed two or more times.

Most people cannot sense if their blood pressure is high (hypertension) because there are usually no symptoms. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. For people who have high blood pressure, this test is a way of monitoring the effectiveness of medications and dietary modifications.

Low blood pressure may be a sign of a variety of illnesses, including heart failure, infection, gland disorders, and dehydration.

Normal Results In adults, the systolic pressure should be less than 120 mmHg and the diastolic pressure should be less than 80 mmHg.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Pre-high blood pressure:

Top number is consistently 120 to 139 or the bottom number reads 80 to 89

Stage 1 high blood pressure:

Top number is consistently 140 to 159 or the bottom number reads 90 to 99

Stage 2 high blood pressure:

Top number is consistently 160 or over or the bottom number reads 100 or over


Low blood pressure (hypotension):

Top number reading lower than 90 or pressure 25 mmHg lower than usual
Blood pressure readings may be affected by many different conditions, including:

Cardiovascular disorders
Neurological conditions
Kidney and urological disorders
Pre-eclampsia in pregnant women
Psychological factors such as stress, anger, or fear
Various medications
"White coat hypertension" may occur if the medical visit itself produces extreme anxiety.

Blood pressure readings taken at home can provide important information to your doctor. Such readings may be a better measure of your current blood pressure than those taken at your doctor's office, as long as you make sure your machine is accurate. You can ask your health care provider to compare readings in the office. Many people become nervous at the doctor's office and have higher readings that they normally would at home. This is called white-coat hypertension

Answer 4

Walking is an aerobic exercise meaning that it uses oxygen. A brisk walk increases oxygen intake to the blood, strengthens the heart, improves circulation and lowers blood pressure.