How To Read Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure Monitor

What Is Blood Pressure (BP)?

The force of the body's blood pressing against the inside walls of blood vessels, particularly the arteries, is referred to as blood pressure.

Blood is pumped into the arteries by the heart each time it beats. Over the course of the day, your blood pressure fluctuates.
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​When you are sleeping, it is at its lowest, and it increases when you get up and start moving. When you are excited, anxious, or physically active, it may also increase.

How BP Is Measured?

Blood pressure is expressed as two numbers and is expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Some blood pressure monitors do include pulse reading.

Systolic pressure is the force your heart exerts when pumping blood out.
The pressure your heart experiences between beats is known as diastolic pressure.

For instance, if your blood pressure is "140 over 90" or 140/90mmHg, it means that you have a systolic pressure of 140mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 90mmHg.

A healthcare professional may use pulse pressure measurement to predict the likelihood of a heart event, such as a heart attack or stroke. For older adults in particular, a pulse pressure over 60 is regarded as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

What Is High BP or Low BP?

High blood pressure is frequently linked to unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, being overweight, and insufficient exercise.

There are fewer cases of low blood pressure. Low blood pressure is a side effect of some medications. Dehydration and heart failure are two additional underlying conditions that can contribute to it.

Picture Source: healthhub.sg

How To Manage High BP?

1. Exercise frequently (at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week)
2. Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night: Your body needs enough sleep to rejuvenate and repair itself.
3. Smoking should be avoided because it raises blood pressure each time you puff. Additionally, smoking narrows your arteries and harms the blood vessel walls.
4. Reduce your intake of salt (sodium). Your kidneys must work harder to remove fluid from every part of your body when you eat too much salt.
5. Limit your alcohol consumption because it can briefly raise your blood pressure. On the other hand, if you regularly consume large amounts of alcohol, your blood pressure will become chronically elevated.
6. Regular consumption of citrus fruits is linked to a drop in systolic blood pressure.
   
7. About one cup of chopped celery per day is the recommended amount. Phthalides, a phytochemical compound found in celery, can aid in relaxing the blood vessel tissues, lowering blood pressure and enhancing blood flow. 
   
8. Omega-3 fatty acids have the same potential to lower blood pressure as lifestyle changes. Fish oil supplements or fatty fish like salmon and swordfish contain these helpful omega-3 fats that help to reduce inflammation in the body. They not only lower blood pressure but also improve cardiovascular health in general and lower the risk of heart disease.