The heart acts as a motor, driving blood through the vessels, and in the large arteries of the circulatory system, a pressure drop occurs, which contributes to the promotion and distribution of blood throughout the body. The norm of blood pressure is when two of its indicators (systolic and diastolic) correspond to age-related indicators in both levels, the upper (systolic) and lower (diastolic).
Systole is the blood pressure at the time of the contraction of the heart at maximum voltage. Diastole is a moment in the work of the heart when it is as relaxed as possible. Blood pressure, upper and lower, is measured in millimeters marked on the mercury column, as in a thermometer. When the pressure level is 120/80 mm. Hg. Art., you can go into space, because for the human body - this is the norm of blood pressure.
Do not diagnose yourself instead of a doctor
It is necessary to measure pressure in old age. There is nothing complicated in this procedure, below we will dwell on this in more detail. But measuring pressure is one thing, and making a diagnosis and prescribing treatment yourself is another. Take the same tablets as a friend or neighbor are not worth it.
The norm of blood pressure for each age and individual is determined by the doctor, as well as the degree of damage to internal organs in case of hypertension. When blood pressure is constantly elevated, the risk that diseases develop - heart, cerebral circulation, blood vessels of the legs, ischemia or stroke, renal failure or eyes - increase many times.
How often and how to measure blood pressure
This issue for each person should be decided individually. At a young age, there is no need to measure it often, and a pensioner with high blood pressure needs to measure it more than once a day. Normal pressure is considered when it has an upper rate of less than 130 mm Hg and a lower pressure of less than 85. Hypertension is detected even when the pressure exceeds 140/99 mm Hg. and above, the degree of its development is determined by the doctor.
The norm of blood pressure is not a constant, it can change with age. Even during the day, the pressure can increase or decrease from the physical, emotional state, from what medications the person took.
The following are recommendations on how to properly measure blood pressure:
- Need to sit down and relax. If a person is lying, then the arm should be extended along the body.
- You do not need to eat an hour or half an hour before measuring pressure, take medicine or smoke.
- After a person has quietly sat for about 5 minutes, you can measure the pressure.
- When a person sits, it is better for him to lean on the back of a chair. The location of the cuff should be at heart level.
- If the pressure is measured while lying down, something needs to be put under the arm so that it is also at the level of the heart.
- You can’t talk or move sharply, change the position of the body.
- When carrying out a series of measurements, it is necessary to make intervals, loosen the cuff compressing the arm and conduct the next measurement after 1-2 minutes.
- Bracelets, watches or jewelry should be removed, it is advisable to put the cuff on a naked arm (if this is a Korotkov tonometer ). If it is electronic, then the cuff is worn on the wrist.
- The reading from the hand on which the highest pressure value is found is taken into account.
- Sometimes the pressure rises only because the doctor measures it, this is called "white coat syndrome", so 2-3 readings will not be superfluous.
- Children have a pressure different from adults. Therefore, special children's tags are placed on the device, there are children's cuffs. Measure the pressure of children in the clinic.
- For elderly hypotensive people and those who are familiar with postural hypotension (sudden fluctuations in pressure when standing up), you need to measure pressure both sitting and lying down.