Health Information - A Basic Overview Of Blood Pressure

The following article is from a series of health articles and videos about blood pressure …

It seems that the subject of blood pressure is constantly talked about and while most people know it's important, not as many are clear about what it is and how high or low blood pressure really affects your health.

Blood is constantly moving throughout your body via the blood vessels and arteries. Blood pressure is the measurement of the force of the blood pushing against your artery walls as it passes through your arteries and blood vessels.

Every time the heart beats, which is approximately 60 to 70 times a minute for the average, healthy person when at rest, it pumps blood out through the arteries which then carry it to every part of your body.

The blood pressure reading is at its highest when the heart beats and pushes out blood. This is referred to in medical terms as the systolic blood pressure. In between the beats your heart is at rest and the pressure in your arteries falls, this is known as the diastolic blood pressure reading.

Blood pressure measurements are always read as a pair of numbers representing the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure, which are both vital measurements. These numbers are often written as one before the other separated with a slash, such as 110/75 mmHg. The first number, also referred to as the top number, is the systolic reading. The second number, or bottom number, is the reading for the diastolic measurement.

When this pair of numbers is recorded, the systolic measurement is written first followed by the diastolic measurement and in speaking of these measurements, it is common to say "my blood pressure is 110 over 75" which is written as 110/75.

Your blood pressure changes throughout the day depending on what you are doing, your stress levels and your emotional states. It will be at its lowest while at rest, especially when sleeping and rises during the day. If you spend most of your time sitting down or standing up it will remain relatively stable throughout the day.

The ideal blood pressure level is under 120/80. When the measurements stay consistently high, such as at the point of 140/90, then you are diagnosed as having high blood pressure. This is a fairly serious health concern because this state causes the heart to work harder, which will place stress on your arteries. It also raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney problems, such as kidney stones and kidney failure.

One typical question people have is, what causes high blood pressure? Unfortunately, the answer is not simple and straightforward for many people because a single, specific cause cannot be pinpointed. This is known as primary or essential high blood pressure and there is ongoing research to learn more about the causes.

However, for others the condition is known to be a result of a specific medical problem they have or is caused by a medication they are taking. In these conditions, this is known as secondary high blood pressure.

The blood pressure readings provide you, your doctor and your health care provider vital details about your health situation today, as well as clues into possible future problems you might experience. This is why it's so important to keep an eye on your pressure and be sure to consult with your medical practitioner if it is consistently over 140/90.

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