Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is simply defined as the force that moves blood through the circulatory system. Blood pressure is an important force because oxygen and nutrients would not be pushed around the circulatory system to nourish tissues and organs without it. It is also vital because it delivers white blood cells and antibodies for immunity and hormones such as insulin.

Just as important as providing oxygen and nutrients, the fresh blood that gets delivered is able to pick up the toxic waste products of metabolism, including the carbon dioxide we exhale with every breath and the toxins we clear through the liver and kidneys.

Blood itself carries a number of other properties, including its temperature. It also carries one of the defenses against tissue damage, the clotting platelets that prevent blood loss following injury.

The heart creates blood pressure by forcing out blood when it contracts with every heartbeat. However, blood pressure cannot be created solely by a pumping heart.

Undoubtedly, normal blood pressure is vital to life. Without the pressure that forces our blood to flow around the circulatory system, no oxygen or nutrients would be delivered through our arteries to the tissues and organs. That been said, blood pressure can become dangerously high, and it can also get too low.

Circulation can be described as a highly sophisticated form of plumbing. Blood as “flow,” and arteries are “pipes.” It is actually the same basic law of physics that is applied in a irrigating farm or circulating water round a building that gives rise to blood flow in the body too. Blood flows through the body because of a difference in pressure.

Blood pressure is highest at the start of its journey from the heart — when it enters the aorta (which is the biggest part of the heart) and it is lowest at the end of its journey along progressively smaller branches of arteries. That pressure difference is what causes blood to flow.

Just like in farms or some building facilities, the arteries affect blood pressure in a similar way to the physical properties of a hose pipe affecting water pressure. Constricting the pipe increases pressure at the point of constriction.

Without the elastic nature of the artery walls, for example, the pressure of the blood would fall away more quickly as it is pumped from the heart. It is true that the heart creates the maximum pressure, but the properties of the arteries are just as important to maintaining it and allowing blood to flow throughout the body. The condition of the arteries affects blood pressure and flow, and narrowing of the arteries can eventually block the supply altogether, leading to dangerous conditions including stroke and heart attack.

The device used to measure blood pressure is a sphygmomanometer. It consists of a rubber armband — the cuff that is inflated by hand or machine pump. Once the cuff is inflated enough to stop the pulse, a reading is taken either electronically or on an analog dial. The reading is expressed in terms of the pressure it takes to move mercury around a tube against gravity. This is the reason for pressure being measured using the unit millimeters of mercury, abbreviated to mm Hg.

There's no cause to fear, measuring blood pressure typically does not cause any pain or discomfort. However, it can temporarily feel tight around the arm.

A stethoscope identifies the precise point when the pulse sound returns, and the pressure of the cuff is slowly released. Using the stethoscope enables the person measuring the blood pressure to listen out for two specific points. Blood pressure readings consist of two figures: The systolic pressure first and the diastolic pressure second. The reading is given as, for example, 140 over 90 mm Hg.

The systolic pressure is the higher figure caused by the heart’s contraction, while the diastolic number is the lower pressure in the arteries during the brief “resting” period between heartbeats.

Normal blood pressure to be below 120 mm Hg systolic and 80 mm Hg diastolic. However, blood pressure changes naturally for many reasons. Persons with high blood pressure should receive treatment at 130/80 mm Hg.

Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is not typically as worrisome as high blood pressure (hypertension). However, it can still indicate health issues.

An individual with a blood pressure reading of less than 90/60 mm Hg is considered to have low blood pressure. Doctors do not usually consider this a problem unless other symptoms exist alongside it. These underlying issues could include internal bleeding, heart disease, pregnancy, some medications, among other situations. If a person experiences other symptoms, they should speak with their doctor to address any underlying conditions.

Doctors should only prescribe medication in cases of a previous heart attack or stroke, or in the presence of risk factors for these conditions, such as age, a diabetes diagnosis, or chronic kidney disease. This is very important. Some persons are quick to take drugs whenever they noticed their blood pressure just gone up or worse case, before going for blood pressure examination. This is common amongst individuals working in companies where blood pressure blood pressure examination is required before they are allowed to go to the field. This manipulation is extremely dangerous.

Treatment at the earlier stages of high blood pressure should instead come mainly through lifestyle changes.

The following measures patients can take to help keep a healthy blood pressure:

• Maintain a healthy body weight based on a doctor’s recommendation.
• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
• Cut down on sodium, or salt, in the diet. This one is key as we grow older, salt intake should be greatly reduced
• Regularly engage in physical activity, such as brisk walking, for at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week, if possible.
• Manage stress.
• Moderate alcohol intake.
• Quit smoking.
• Work with a doctor to manage all prescriptions properly.

Taking these steps can reduce the risk of health problems further down the line.

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