Understanding Your Blood Pressure
Numbers
What Do Your Blood Pressure Numbers Mean?
Do you care about your blood pressure? If so, did you know
that you can easily start monitoring your blood pressure in
your own home. Before keeping an eye on your blood pressure,
you need to understand the numbers first.
There is a top and bottom number for your blood pressure
reading. The top number refers to your systolic pressure.
Systolic pressure is the force of blood in your arteries as
your heart is beating.
The bottom number means your diastolic pressure. Diastolic
pressure is the force of blood in your arteries as your heart
relaxes between each beat.
Basically, there are four different categories your blood
pressure reading can fall under. The first is a normal blood
pressure reading. Normal blood pressure is when your systolic
pressure is below 120 and your diastolic pressure is below
80, which reads 120/80. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can
help you to lower your blood pressure.
The second category is 'prehypertension.' This is where your
systolic pressure reads 120-139 whereas your diastolic pressure
would be between 80 and 89. This would read as 121/81 or 139/89.
If you have prehypertension, then you need to maintain a healthy
lifestyle to keep your blood pressure from increasing.
The third category is known as Stage 1 hypertension. Your
systolic pressure is between 140 and 159 and your diastolic
pressure is between 90 and 99. You need to adopt a healthy
lifestyle when this is your reading. Talk to your doctor about
medication if you cannot lower your blood pressure on your
own.
The fourth category is called Stage 2 hypertension where
your systolic pressure is 160 or higher and your diastolic
pressure is 100 or higher. If this is your blood pressure
then you need to consider adapting a healthier lifestyle and
talk with your doctor about taking medication to help lower
it.
Sometimes, watching your diet and weight and get plenty of
exercise to help maintain or lower your blood pressure, but
they might not do enough for you. Blood pressure medication
might be prescribed by your doctor and you might even have
to take two.
If this happens, you need to let your doctor know about any
other medication you might be taking. Some medications including
antidepressants, cold medicines, nasal decongestants and even
oral contraceptives can raise your blood pressure.
Like usual, you should check with your doctor about your
doubts you might have regarding your blood pressure. There
are many available ways to treat high blood pressure and you
want to be sure to find the right option best suited for you.
Taking control of your blood pressure means taking control
of your health and have a longer healthier life. If you smoke,
try to kick off the habit, try to limit your alcohol consumption
and eat lots of fruit and vegetables.
If you have a dog or pet, take a walk with them everyday
and spend some time playing with them. Get yourself at least
thirty minutes of physical activity daily and your body will
thank u for it.
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