Even how a person is feeling at the moment their blood pressure is read can affect the reading. For example, nervousness can temporarily cause the heart to beat faster and it can also cause blood pressure to increase. This is common among people who become anxious during healthcare visits. In fact, high blood pressure in these circumstances sometimes is referred to as white coat hypertension.
Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. It can come on suddenly (acute) or be present for a long period of time (chronic). It can signal an underlying heart problem and damage the heart. Over time, chronic hypertension increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, organ failure, and kidney disease.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to know what your usual blood pressure reading is so that you and your healthcare provider will be able to recognize changes that could be concerning.
What is Blood Pressure?
When your heart beats, blood travels through your body to deliver oxygen to cells, tissues, and organs. The blood exerts pressure on the inner walls of your arteries.
There are two components of blood pressure, systolic and diastolic, which accounts for the two numbers that are used to measure it:
Blood pressure is measured using an inflatable blood pressure cuff attached to a meter that detects the amount of force blood puts on arterial walls during and between heartbeats, expressing this pressure as millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Normal vs. Abnormal Blood Pressure
Both high blood pressure and low pressure (hypotension) can indicate a health issue, although hypertension typically is more of a concern than hypotension. The American Heart Association guidelines define five categories of blood pressure values.
Systolic pressure generally is given more consideration for people 50 and older because it tends to rise steadily with age as arteries become less pliable and plaque begins to build up, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure increases the workload on the heart and is associated with the damage of arteries throughout the body.
The American Heart Association recognizes five categories of blood pressure ranging from normal to dangerously high :
Low Blood Pressure
Hypotension is less well-defined than hypertension, and below 90/60 mmHg is generally regarded as too low. Low blood pressure can occur due to things like dehydration or vascular disease, and it becomes problematic when it causes symptoms:
FaintingDizziness or lightheadednessRapid, shallow breathingBlurred visionCold, clammy, pale skinDepressionNauseaFatigueImpaired ability to concentrate
A Word From Verywell
Normal blood pressure can vary a little and so what’s normal for you may not be normal for someone else. However, blood pressure that’s out of the normal range should be treated. The next time your healthcare provider measures your blood pressure, ask them what the numbers are so that you will have an idea of where you stand. (Obviously, if your blood pressure is alarmingly high or low your practitioner will tell you right away if treatment is necessary.) Finally, learning to take your own blood pressure at home may be worthwhile with the guidance of your healthcare provider.
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