High blood pressure, or hypertension, simply means that the pressure within the walls of the blood vessels has is on the rise. This can be due to varying factors such as a narrowing of the lumen due to atherosclerosis or some types of medication as well. Sometimes deposits may form within the walls of the blood vessels, which effectively narrows them and the pressure on those walls increases. Whatever the cause of the increase in your blood pressure, it is quite simply a ticking time-bomb, to re-use an often used phrase.
Although it has been said a great many times, it hasn’t been emphasized enough. If you believe that your blood pressure is high, don’t wait until you have other health issues to find out.
How Do I Know If I Have High Blood Pressure?
The only real method of finding out whether or not you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure taken by a medical professional. There are sometimes symptoms of hypertension but very often there are none until the stroke or heart attack renders you helpless.
How Is Blood Pressure Tested?
Blood pressure is tested by the use of a sphygmomanometer, which is the typical blood pressure cuff that you see in the physician’s office or in the nurse’s bag. It is wrapped snugly around your arm and then inflated. The first beat that we hear as the cuff is deflated is the upper, or systolic blood pressure. This is the measure of the pressure against the arterial wall when the heart is at work or when it is beating. The second or lower number in your blood pressure is the measure of pressure within that same lumen when the heart is at rest, or the diastolic pressure.
Tips for Having Your Blood Pressure Taken
When your blood pressure is being measured, try to relax. Many people who are fearful or concerned by having to visit their medical professional have what we term “white coat” syndrome. This will effectively increase the pressure by several millimeters of mercury and as such the reading that we have is not a true reading. Hold your arm level at your waist rather than permitting it to hang down at your side. This causes blood pooling and can also increase the pressure. Above all don’t smoke right before the pressure is taken.
Categories for Blood Pressure Levels in Adults
Blood pressure is considered high when it rises above 120 over 80, or in men 130 over 80. Pressures will typically increase slightly when we grow older but a marked jump is not normal and should always be checked out with your physician
What Device Can I Use to Take My Own Blood Pressure?
In today’s market and with new technologies, there is no reason why anyone can’t take and record their own blood pressure. Machines are available at nominal costs which will take your pressure and show it digitally while keeping in record electronically the last five or ten blood pressures. Taking and recording your own blood pressure for several days will help you to determine if, in fact, it is high, in which case your physician can advise you on how to proceed.
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