What is Normal Blood Pressure?

2021-05-24

what

Blood pressure is a measure of the force exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels. It is expressed in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and is measured in two numbers: systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.

Systolic blood pressure is the pressure when the heart beats and pumps blood out to the body. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure when the heart rests between beats.

The normal range for blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. However, blood pressure can vary throughout the day and from person to person. It is important to talk to your doctor about what is a healthy blood pressure range for you.

What is Normal Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood against blood vessel walls.

Normal: less than 120/80 mm Hg
High: 130/80 mm Hg or higher
Low: 90/60 mm Hg or lower
Systolic: pressure when heart beats
Diastolic: pressure when heart rests
Can vary: throughout day, person to person
Talk to doctor: healthy range for you
High blood pressure: risk factor for heart disease, stroke
Low blood pressure: can cause dizziness, fainting

It is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly and make lifestyle changes or take medication as recommended by your doctor to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.

Normal: less than 120/80 mm Hg

Normal blood pressure is generally considered to be less than 120/80 mm Hg. This means that when your heart beats (systolic pressure), the pressure in your blood vessels is less than 120 mm Hg. When your heart rests between beats (diastolic pressure), the pressure in your blood vessels is less than 80 mm Hg.

Healthy blood vessels: Normal blood pressure helps to keep your blood vessels healthy and flexible. This reduces your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
Reduced risk of heart attack and stroke: High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range can help to reduce your risk of these serious conditions.
Improved kidney function: Normal blood pressure helps to protect your kidneys and keep them functioning properly. High blood pressure can damage the kidneys and lead to kidney failure.
Better overall health: Maintaining a healthy blood pressure can improve your overall health and well-being. You may have more energy, sleep better, and feel less stressed.

It is important to note that blood pressure can vary throughout the day and from person to person. It is also important to talk to your doctor about what is a healthy blood pressure range for you.

High: 130/80 mm Hg or higher

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is when your blood pressure is consistently at or above 130/80 mm Hg. High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels and lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and eye damage.

Increased risk of heart disease and stroke: High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. The higher your blood pressure, the greater your risk of these serious conditions.
Damage to blood vessels: High blood pressure can damage the lining of your blood vessels, making them more likely to develop atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Atherosclerosis can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other serious problems.
Kidney disease: High blood pressure can damage the kidneys and lead to kidney failure. When your blood pressure is high, the small blood vessels in your kidneys can become damaged, which can interfere with the kidneys' ability to filter waste products from your blood.
Eye damage: High blood pressure can also damage the blood vessels in your eyes, leading to vision problems such as retinal detachment and blindness.

It is important to note that high blood pressure often has no symptoms, so it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of developing serious health problems.

Low: 90/60 mm Hg or lower

Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is when your blood pressure is consistently below 90/60 mm Hg. Low blood pressure can be caused by a number of factors, including dehydration, blood loss, and certain medications. While low blood pressure is generally not as serious as high blood pressure, it can still cause problems, especially in older adults.

Dizziness and fainting: Low blood pressure can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. This is because your brain is not getting enough blood and oxygen.
Fatigue: Low blood pressure can also cause fatigue and weakness. This is because your body is not getting enough oxygen and nutrients.
Blurred vision: Low blood pressure can also cause blurred vision. This is because the blood vessels in your eyes are not getting enough blood.
Shock: In severe cases, low blood pressure can lead to shock. Shock is a life-threatening condition in which your blood pressure drops so low that your organs do not get enough blood and oxygen.

If you have low blood pressure, it is important to see your doctor to determine the cause and to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Treatment for low blood pressure will depend on the underlying cause.

Systolic: pressure when heart beats

Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats. It is the higher number in a blood pressure reading, such as 120/80 mm Hg. Systolic blood pressure is a measure of how hard your heart is working to pump blood through your body.

As you age, your systolic blood pressure tends to increase. This is because your arteries stiffen with age, making it harder for your heart to pump blood through them. Other factors that can increase your systolic blood pressure include high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.

High systolic blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. This is because high systolic blood pressure can damage the lining of your arteries, making them more likely to develop atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Atherosclerosis can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other serious problems.

If you have high systolic blood pressure, your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of developing serious health problems. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to lower your blood pressure.

It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly, especially if you are over the age of 40 or have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Early detection and treatment of high blood pressure can help to prevent serious health problems.

Diastolic: pressure when heart rests

Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart rests between beats. It is the lower number in a blood pressure reading, such as 120/80 mm Hg. Diastolic blood pressure is a measure of how well your heart is able to relax and fill with blood.

Normal diastolic blood pressure: Normal diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mm Hg.
High diastolic blood pressure: High diastolic blood pressure is 80 mm Hg or higher. High diastolic blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
Causes of high diastolic blood pressure: High diastolic blood pressure can be caused by a number of factors, including high systolic blood pressure, kidney disease, and certain medications.
Treatment for high diastolic blood pressure: Treatment for high diastolic blood pressure typically involves lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to lower your blood pressure.

Can vary: throughout the day, person to person

Blood pressure can vary throughout the day and from person to person. This is because blood pressure is affected by a number of factors, including:

Time of day: Blood pressure is typically lowest in the morning and highest in the late afternoon or early evening.
Activity level: Blood pressure increases during exercise and other physical activity.
Stress: Blood pressure can increase when you are stressed.
Medications: Some medications can raise or lower blood pressure.

It is also important to note that blood pressure can vary from person to person. Some people naturally have higher blood pressure than others. This is called essential hypertension. Essential hypertension is the most common type of high blood pressure.

Talk to doctor: healthy range for you

It is important to talk to your doctor about what is a healthy blood pressure range for you. This is because blood pressure can vary from person to person. Some people naturally have higher blood pressure than others. This is called essential hypertension. Essential hypertension is the most common type of high blood pressure.

Age: Blood pressure tends to increase with age.
Race: African Americans tend to have higher blood pressure than people of other races.
Family history: If you have a family history of high blood pressure, you are more likely to develop it yourself.
Other health conditions: Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease, can increase your risk of high blood pressure.

Your doctor will consider all of these factors when determining what is a healthy blood pressure range for you. Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes or medication to help you lower your blood pressure if it is too high.

High blood pressure: risk factor for heart disease, stroke

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. This is because high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels and heart.

When blood pressure is high, it puts extra stress on the blood vessel walls. This can cause the blood vessel walls to become weak and narrow. It can also cause the blood vessels to become clogged with plaque, a buildup of fatty deposits. Plaque can block blood flow to the heart and brain, leading to heart attack and stroke.

High blood pressure can also damage the heart muscle. It can cause the heart muscle to become enlarged and thickened. This can make it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively. High blood pressure can also lead to heart failure.

The good news is that high blood pressure can be controlled with lifestyle changes and medication. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Some of the lifestyle changes that can help to lower blood pressure include:

Losing weight if you are overweight or obese
Eating a healthy diet, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Getting regular exercise
Reducing sodium intake
Limiting alcohol intake
Quitting smoking

Low blood pressure: can cause dizziness, fainting

Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, can cause dizziness, fainting, and other problems. This is because low blood pressure can reduce blood flow to the brain and other organs.

Dizziness and fainting: Low blood pressure can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. This is because your brain is not getting enough blood and oxygen.
Fatigue: Low blood pressure can also cause fatigue and weakness. This is because your body is not getting enough oxygen and nutrients.
Blurred vision: Low blood pressure can also cause blurred vision. This is because the blood vessels in your eyes are not getting enough blood.
Shock: In severe cases, low blood pressure can lead to shock. Shock is a life-threatening condition in which your blood pressure drops so low that your organs do not get enough blood and oxygen.

Low blood pressure can be caused by a number of factors, including dehydration, blood loss, and certain medications. If you have low blood pressure, it is important to see your doctor to determine the cause and to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about blood pressure:

Question 1: What is normal blood pressure?
Answer: Normal blood pressure is generally considered to be less than 120/80 mm Hg.

Question 2: What is high blood pressure?
Answer: High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is when your blood pressure is consistently at or above 130/80 mm Hg.

Question 3: What is low blood pressure?
Answer: Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is when your blood pressure is consistently below 90/60 mm Hg.

Question 4: What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
Answer: High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but it can cause headaches, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Question 5: What are the symptoms of low blood pressure?
Answer: Low blood pressure can cause dizziness, fainting, fatigue, and blurred vision.

Question 6: How can I prevent high blood pressure?
Answer: You can help prevent high blood pressure by eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing stress.

Question 7: How can I prevent low blood pressure?
Answer: You can help prevent low blood pressure by drinking plenty of fluids, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding excessive heat and alcohol consumption.

Question 8: When should I see a doctor about my blood pressure?
Answer: You should see a doctor if your blood pressure is consistently high or low, or if you have any symptoms of high or low blood pressure.

Closing Paragraph: Blood pressure is an important measure of your overall health. By understanding what blood pressure is and how to keep it in a healthy range, you can help reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems.

In addition to the information above, here are some additional tips for maintaining a healthy blood pressure:

Tips

Here are some practical tips for maintaining a healthy blood pressure:

Tip 1: Eat a healthy diet.
A healthy diet for blood pressure includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It also includes lean protein and low-fat dairy products. Limit unhealthy fats, sodium, and added sugar.

Tip 2: Get regular exercise.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Examples of moderate-intensity exercise include brisk walking, swimming, and biking.

Tip 3: Maintain a healthy weight.
Being overweight or obese increases your risk of high blood pressure. If you are overweight or obese, talk to your doctor about healthy ways to lose weight.

Tip 4: Reduce stress.
Stress can contribute to high blood pressure. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, yoga, or meditation.

Closing Paragraph: By following these tips, you can help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range and reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems.

If you have high blood pressure or low blood pressure, talk to your doctor about the best ways to manage your condition.

Conclusion

Blood pressure is an important measure of your overall health. High blood pressure and low blood pressure can both lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.

The good news is that blood pressure can be controlled with lifestyle changes and medication. If you have high blood pressure or low blood pressure, talk to your doctor about the best ways to manage your condition.

By following the tips in this article, you can help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range and reduce your risk of serious health problems.

Closing Message: Remember, blood pressure is a silent killer. It often has no symptoms, so it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Early detection and treatment of high blood pressure and low blood pressure can help you live a long and healthy life.