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ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE
What Is Blood Pressure?
Simply put, arterial blood pressure is the force of blood exerted against the walls of the arteries.
There are two components to blood pressure: systolic and diastolic pressure. Systolic, the
higher pressure, occurs during contraction of the heart. Diastolic, the lower pressure, occurs
when the heart is at "rest."
Your level of blood pressure is determined in the circulatory center of the brain and adjusts to a
variety of situations through feedback from the nervous system. To adjust blood pressure, the
strength and frequency of the heart (pulse), as well as the width of circulatory blood vessels, are
altered. Blood vessel width is affected by fine muscles in the blood vessel walls.
Blood pressure is traditionally measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). It is recorded as
systolic/diastolic. For example, a systolic of 120 and diastolic of 80 would be recorded 120/80.
Blood pressure is a dynamic vital sign, one that changes constantly throughout the day. A
person's "resting" blood pressure is the pressure that exists first thing in the morning while a
person is still at rest and before consumption of food or drink.
What Is a Normal Blood Pressure? A systolic pressure of less than 120mmHg and a diastolic
pressure of under 80mmHg are recognized as normal by the Joint National Committee on
Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, 2003.
NOTE: Blood pressure does increase with age, so you must check with your doctor to find out
what is “normal” for you! Even with normal blood pressure values, a regular self-check with your
blood pressure monitor is recommended. You can detect possible changes in your values early
and react appropriately. If you are undergoing medical treatment to control your blood pressure,
keep a record of values along with time of day and date. Show these values to your doctor.
Never use the results of your measurements to independently alter the drug doses prescribed
by your doctor.
What Influences Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is influenced by many factors including age, weight, physical conditioning, past
illness, time of day, altitude, activity, and climate, to name just a few. In general, blood pressure
is lower in the morning and increases throughout the day. It is lower in warm weather, and
higher in cold weather. Physical activity can have a significant short term impact on blood
pressure. Work, exercise, smoking, eating, drinking even talking, laughing, or crying will all
affect a person's blood pressure. Your diet, including beverages containing caffeine or alcohol,
may affect blood pressure. Emotional stress can have a dramatic impact on your blood pressure.
Even repeated blood pressure measurements taken without adequate rest between readings
will alter your blood pressure as the vessels in your arm engorge with blood. Many of these
influences are only temporary or short term, though chronic (long term) exposure to some
factors may result in permanently elevated blood pressure levels.
Does Blood Pressure Vary?
Constantly. An individual's blood pressure varies greatly on a daily and seasonal basis. It
changes throughout one's lifetime. It is not uncommon for systolic pressure to vary by 40mmHg
or more throughout the course of a single day! While generally not as volatile, diastolic pressure
can still vary significantly. In hypertensive individuals, variations are even more pronounced.
Normally, blood pressure is at its lowest during sleep and rises in the morning and throughout
the day. The chart (left) illustrates the fluctuations that could occur in a typical day.
What Is Hypertension?
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is elevated systolic or diastolic levels. In 90 to 95 percent of
the diagnosed cases, the specific causes are unknown, although the condition is often linked
with family history and lifestyle. This is referred to as essential hypertension. In the remaining
cases, high blood pressure is a symptom of an underlying, often treatable condition, which if