What is normal blood pressure and how is blood pressure measured?

What does a blood pressure measurement indicate?

A blood pressure measurement indicates how much pressure the blood exerts on the walls of the arteries as it moves around the body. Blood pressure is an important indicator of cardiovascular health and can give an indication of whether the heart and blood vessels are working properly.

What is normal blood pressure?

Normal blood pressure is typically between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg for adults. Blood pressure is reported as two numbers, systolic blood pressure (the top number) and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number), which are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Systolic blood pressure indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts, while diastolic blood pressure indicates the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.

Which blood pressure number is the most dangerous?

The diastolic number (the bottom number) is the most dangerous if it is too high.

This can mean that the arteries are too narrow and the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body. Over time, this can cause damage to the heart and other organs in the body.

What should your blood pressure be when you are 65 years old?

Blood pressure should be below 140/90 mmHg for people over 65 years of age.

With age, arteries can become stiffer and less elastic, which increases resistance to blood flow and thus blood pressure. 

How long should you wait between blood pressure measurements?

At least 1-2 minutes should pass between blood pressure measurements to give the blood vessels time to relax and rebuild.

When is the best time to measure blood pressure?

• It is best to measure your blood pressure in the morning, before eating breakfast and taking medication.
• It is also important to sit still for at least 5 minutes before the measurement, and not to have smoked or drunk coffee within 30 minutes before the measurement.
• To avoid other factors having an impact or significance on the measurement, so that the most accurate result can be achieved.
• For the same reason, blood pressure is usually measured three times.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is defined as a systolic blood pressure (the top number) of 140 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) of 90 mmHg or higher. Repeated readings above this level may require treatment.

High blood pressure can damage the walls of your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease, blood clots, stroke, kidney damage, and eye problems. High blood pressure can also put strain on your heart, which can lead to heart failure.

Hypertension usually develops gradually over time and often shows no symptoms at first. Therefore, it can be difficult to detect without regular blood pressure measurements. In most cases, the cause of high blood pressure cannot be found.

However, there are some factors that can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, such as being overweight, lack of exercise, stress, smoking, high salt intake and hereditary factors.

Treatment for high blood pressure may include lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, and/or medication. It is important to treat high blood pressure to reduce the risk of serious complications.

What is low blood pressure?

Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is defined as a blood pressure that is significantly lower than the normal level for an individual person, often with systolic values below 90 mmHg and diastolic values below 60 mmHg.

The condition may require attention, especially if it causes symptoms.

Low blood pressure can cause insufficient blood flow to the body’s organs, which can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and, in severe cases, shock.

Hypotension can occur due to a number of reasons, including dehydration, prolonged bed rest, pregnancy, certain medical conditions and medications, as well as sudden changes in body position.

Hypotension often develops quickly and may be easier to identify due to the associated symptoms. In some cases, the cause of low blood pressure can be found, but in other cases, it is more challenging to identify a clear cause.

Although hypotension is generally considered less serious than hypertension, it is important to seek medical attention if symptoms of low blood pressure occur, as it may be a sign of underlying problems.

A healthy lifestyle, including adequate hydration, a balanced diet, and regular physical activity, can help manage and prevent the condition.

 

Osteopathy and blood pressure

Osteopathy cannot and should not replace important medication that regulates blood pressure. However, osteopathy can help the body’s autonomic nervous system, the system that controls and regulates blood pressure in the body.

Osteopathic treatment is often experienced as stress-relieving and well-being-enhancing. We also teach how to care for and understand the body’s systems, which can be preventative.