Expected Levels of Diastolic and Systolic Blood Pressure

(815 Words)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 31.3% of Americans have high blood pressure. Known as the silent killer, it can contribute to heart disease, kidney disease, stroke and many other life-threatening ailments. It is vital for people to understand what their blood pressure is and the expected levels so that they can take steps to control it.
Blood pressure is defined as the force applied to the walls of the arteries as blood is pumped through the body by the heart. It is measured in two different numbers, the top and the bottom. The systolic blood pressure is the top number. When the heart contracts, the maximum pressure exerted is measured by the number in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The diastolic blood pressure reading, which is the lower number, is the minimum pressure in arteries. This occurs when the heart is at rest.
The normal or expected numbers of blood pressure is a systolic number between 90 to 120 (excluding pre-hypertension). The diastolic number should be below 80. This is the ideal blood pressure. Because so many people have hypertension or pre-hypertension it is not always the “expected amount” especially in someone with an abundance of risk factors. For instance, the incidence of hypertension goes up significantly as one ages. According to the CDC, 9.2% of men and 2.2% of women aged 20-34 have high blood pressure. This number jumps to 36.2% (for both genders) for people aged 45-54. For those 75 and older the numbers are 65% and 80.2% for men and women, respectively. Thus you may expect someone who is older to have higher blood pressure.
The next stage is still considered normal blood pressure, but it is pre-hypertension. At this point, an individual should monitor their blood pressure carefully. At pre-hypertension the systolic number is between 120 and 139. The diastolic blood pressure will be between 80 and 89.
There are two stages of high blood pressure or hypertension. In stage 1, the systolic number comes out at 140 to 159. The diastolic pressure will be 90 to 99. Stage 2 is more serious. This is represented by systolic blood pressure numbers 160 or over and diastolic numbers of 100 or over. The higher the numbers, the more at risk you are for the various aforementioned ailments.
Blood pressure should not just be taken one time. There are many different factors that can change it from moment to moment, thus it is important to take readings at different times of the day. For instance, if you take someone’s blood pressure right after they exercise, then it is expected to be much higher. Also, when people are very upset or anxious it can go up, sometimes significantly. It may show that the person has high blood pressure when they actually do not.
Some people suffer from white coat hypertension. In this case, they get so anxious when their blood pressure is taken that it may show up very high – even twenty points higher. It is important to try to be calm to get an accurate reading.
Many people start out with higher numbers in the morning and then it lowers as the day goes on. Taking your blood pressure at different times can give you a better idea of what it actually is.
It is very easy to take your blood pressure. The doctor can do it manually with a cuff and a stethoscope or there are automatic machines. You can purchase a machine for approximately $50 to take an accurate measure at home. They are easy to use and worthwhile for many. They will show the two numbers.
A number of factors contribute to blood pressure. Whether your expected blood pressure will be higher than normal will be dependent upon many of these factors. Genetics and age play a part, which a person obviously cannot control. Much can be controlled, however.
Obesity can raise a person’s risk to a great extent. Simply losing weight may help someone who is overweight lower their blood pressure. Salt intake has a high correlation with high blood pressure, thus reducing the amount of salt you eat may be useful. Studies have linked many different foods with a lower blood pressure. These include fruits and vegetables. Some foods such as potassium-rich bananas and watermelon have been highlighted. Exercise can help lower blood pressure for some. Some patients also find that stress raises their blood pressure, so stress-relieving methods might be of use. Of course, medication is commonly used, and should be utilized correctly to be effective. If your blood pressure is not of the expected levels, then you should take these steps to help reduce it.
The most important step is to be aware of your blood pressure, especially if you have pre-hypertension or hypertension. Know where it should be. Keeping it under control can literally save your life.
Resources:
http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003398.htm
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/AboutHighBloodPressure/Understanding-Blood-Pressure-Readings_UCM_301764_Article.jsp