Blood Pressure

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood that circulates against the walls of the arteries. Arteries are responsible for carrying blood from the heart to all parts of the body. When the heart beats and is at its highest, it pumps out blood into the arteries. In between beats, when the heart is resting, blood pressure drops.

Most routine doctor appointments will require a nurse or doctor to take a reading of your blood pressure. Blood pressure is recorded in two numbers; the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure represents how many times the heart beats, while the diastolic pressure represents the rests in between beats.

A normal blood pressure reading is 120/80, with 120 being the systolic number and 80 being the diastolic number. Blood pressure changes throughout the day and is affected by certain events that may cause the body to relax or become excited. For example, blood pressure is lowest during the sleep cycle, but may become elevated if nervous or anxious.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is when the reading is at 140 over 90 or higher. High blood pressure is chronic and will remain at high levels throughout the day. This constant elevation of blood pressure causes serious medical conditions in people and raises the rates of heart attack and stroke.

What is so concerning about high blood pressure is that many experts agree that it is a "silent killer," as many people feel few or no symptoms of having high blood pressure. That is why it is so important to have blood pressure readings done on a regular basis.

A patient will be diagnosed with high blood pressure if he or she has several readings that are 140 over 90 or higher. Symptoms may or may not be present, but these reading are all a doctor needs to make a diagnosis.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

It is unknown what exactly causes high blood pressure. There are many factors that play a role in the onset of high blood pressure, and usually it takes several of these factors to work together to create high blood pressure.

Although the genes have not been identified, genetic factors play a part in developing high blood pressure. Nearly 30 percent of cases have been attributed to genetic factors and there are certain races of people who are more susceptible to high blood pressure, suggesting genetic links.

High blood pressure can also be caused by another medical condition, such as hypertension or thyroid dysfunction. Other conditions include tumors, kidney disease or the narrowing of the aorta. It has also been shown that birth control pills, pregnancy and alcohol use can also contribute to high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure Symptoms

Keep in mind that the best way to determine if a patient has high blood pressure is by taking readings. Even if symptoms are experienced by someone, they are usually mild or can be attributed to something else.

The most common symptoms of high blood pressure include headache, dizziness, blurred vision, and nausea. Because of the generality of these symptoms, many people will suffer attacks on their organs before they know they have high blood pressure. More serious, severe symptoms of high blood pressure include heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney failure, eye damage, or arterial disease.

What is low blood pressure?

Low blood pressure occurs when the flow of blood against the walls of the arteries is so low, that it causes symptoms. Low blood pressure is not diagnosed by a low reading, however. Instead, low blood pressure is characterized by the signs and symptoms a person may be experiencing. In addition, some people who have high blood pressure will show signs of low blood pressure if their readings drop to normal ranges.

Causes of low blood pressure

Low blood pressure occurs when conditions reduce the volume of blood. Most commonly, people will suffer from low blood pressure symptoms if they are dehydrated. This can happen from extended vomiting, nausea or diarrhea.

Low blood pressure can also be attributed to losing large amounts of blood, as with childbirth or surgery, or when the organs are inflamed in the body. Certain medications are also known for causing low blood pressure. Although less common, weakened heart muscles, a slow or fast heart rate or infections can cause low blood pressure.

Low Blood Pressure Symptoms

The symptoms experienced with low blood pressure are important, as these symptoms are what determine whether a patient is suffering from low blood pressure or not. Most commonly, people report feeling weak, dizzy and faint.

If a person suffers from low blood pressure on a long-term basis, serious medical complications may occur. The lack of blood flow will not allow the organs to work properly, therefore causing them to have permanent damage. A person may also experience chest pain or a heart attack because there is not enough blood being delivered to the patient's heart muscle. In extreme cases, shock can occur.

Treatment

With high blood pressure, it is important that patients begin to make lifestyle changes to make themselves healthier, such as by losing weight, exercising and eating healthy. Many people will also need to take blood pressure medications to help keep their readings at normal levels. It will also be recommended that a patient purchase their own blood pressure monitor so that readings can be taken at home each day.

Because it's the symptoms of low blood pressure that are of concern, doctors will treat the symptoms that a person is experiencing. For example, a dehydrated patient will require fluids, while other patients may need to stop taking certain medications.