What is blood pressure? What blood pressure is considered normal

What does blood pressure mean ? Everything is quite simple. It is one of the main indicators of the activity of the cardiovascular system. Let's look at this issue in more detail.

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the process of squeezing the walls of the capillaries, arteries and veins under the influence of blood circulation.

Types of Blood Pressure:

• superior, or systolic;
• lower, or diastolic.

When determining the level of blood pressure should take into account both of these values. The units of measurement remained the very first - millimeters of mercury. This is due to the fact that mercury was used in old devices to determine the level of blood pressure. Therefore, the blood pressure index is as follows: upper blood pressure (for example, 130) / lower blood pressure (for example, 70) mmHg. Art.

Circumstances that directly affect the range of blood pressure include:

• level of strength of contractions performed by the heart;
• the proportion of blood pushed out by the heart during each contraction;
• counteraction of the walls of blood vessels, which is the flow of blood;
• the amount of blood circulating in the body;
• fluctuations in pressure in the chest, which are caused by the respiratory process.

Blood pressure levels can vary throughout the day and with age. But for most healthy people, a stable blood pressure indicator is characteristic.

Definition of types of blood pressure

Systolic (upper) blood pressure is a characteristic of the general condition of veins, capillaries, arteries, as well as their tone, which is caused by a contraction of the heart muscle. It is responsible for the work of the heart, namely, with what force the latter is able to expel blood.

Thus, the level of upper pressure depends on the strength and speed of heart contractions.

To say that arterial and cardiac pressure is the same concept is unreasonable, since the aorta is also involved in its formation.

Lower (diastolic) pressure characterizes the activity of blood vessels. In other words, this is the level of blood pressure at the moment when the heart is as relaxed as possible.

Lower pressure is formed as a result of the contraction of peripheral arteries, through which blood enters the organs and tissues of the body. Therefore, the state of blood vessels - their tone and elasticity - is responsible for the level of blood pressure.

How do I know my blood pressure?

You can find out your blood pressure level using a special device called a “blood pressure tonometer”. You can do this both with a doctor (or nurse) or at home, after purchasing the device in a pharmacy.

The following types of tonometers are distinguished:

• Automatic
• semi-automatic;
• mechanical.

A mechanical blood pressure monitor consists of a cuff, pressure gauge or display, a pear for pumping air, and a stethoscope. How it works: put a cuff on your hand, put a stethoscope under it (you should hear a pulse), pump the cuff with air until it stops, and then start to lower it gradually, unscrewing the wheel on the pear. At some point, you will clearly hear pulsating sounds in the headphones of the stethoscope, then they will stop. These two marks are the upper and lower blood pressure.

Semi-automatic blood pressure monitor consists of a cuff, an electronic display and a pear. Principle of work: put on a cuff, inflate the air with a pear to the maximum, then release it. The upper and lower blood pressure values ​​and the number of beats per minute - pulse appear on the electronic display.

An automatic blood pressure monitor consists of a cuff, an electronic display and a compressor, which performs manipulations to inflate and bleed air. The principle of operation: put on the cuff, start the device and expect the result.

It is believed that a mechanical tonometer produces the most accurate result. It is also more affordable. At the same time, automatic and semi-automatic tonometers remain the most convenient to use. Such models are especially suitable for older people. Moreover, some types have the function of voice notification of pressure indicators.

Measurement of blood pressure indicators is not earlier than thirty minutes after any physical exertion (even insignificant) and an hour after taking coffee and alcohol. Before the measurement process itself, you need to sit quietly for a couple of minutes, catch your breath.

It is not recommended to repeat the procedure using the same hand.

Blood pressure is the norm by age

Each person has an individual norm of blood pressure, which may not be associated with any disease.

The level of blood pressure is due to a number of factors that are of particular importance:

• age and gender of a person;
• personal characteristics;
• life style;
• lifestyle features (work, preferred type of vacation, and so on).

Even blood pressure tends to increase when performing unusual physical exertion and emotional stress. And if a person constantly performs physical activity (for example, an athlete), then the level of blood pressure can also change both over time and for a long period. For example, when a person is stressed, his blood pressure can rise to thirty mmHg. Art. from the norm.

However, there are still certain limits to normal blood pressure. And every ten points of deviation from the norm indicate a violation of the body.

You can also calculate the individual value of blood pressure using the following formulas:

1. For men:

• upper blood pressure = 109 + (0.5 * number of full years) + (0.1 * weight in kg);
• lower blood pressure = 74 + (0.1 * number of full years) + (0.15 * weight in kg).

2. For women:

• upper blood pressure = 102 + (0.7 * number of full years) + 0.15 * weight in kg);
• lower blood pressure = 74 + (0.2 * number of full years) + (0.1 * weight in kg).

Round the resulting value to an integer according to the rules of arithmetic. That is, if it turned out 120.5, then when rounding it will be 121.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure is a high level of at least one of the indicators (lower or upper). The degree of its overstatement should be judged, taking into account both indicators.

Regardless of whether the lower blood pressure is high or upper, it is a disease. And it is called hypertension.

There are three degrees of the disease:

• the first is SAD 140-160 / DBP 90-100;
• the second - GARDEN 161-180 / DBP 101-110;
• the third - GARDEN 181 and more / DBP 111 and more.

It’s worth talking about hypertension when there is a high level of blood pressure over a long period.

According to statistics, an overestimated indicator of systolic pressure is most often observed in women, and diastolic - in men and the elderly.

Symptoms of high blood pressure may include:

• decreased performance;
• fatigue;
• frequent occurrence of a feeling of weakness;
• morning pain in the neck;
• frequent dizziness;
• the appearance of bleeding from the nose;
• noise in ears;
• decreased visual acuity;
• the appearance of swelling of the legs at the end of the day.

High pressure causes

If the lower blood pressure is high, then most likely this is one of the symptoms of the disease of the thyroid gland, kidneys, adrenal glands, which began to produce renin in large quantities. He, in turn, increases the tone of the muscles of the blood vessels.

Increased lower blood pressure is fraught with the development of even more serious diseases.

High upper pressure indicates too frequent contractions of the heart.

A jump in blood pressure can be caused by a number of reasons. This is for example:

• vasoconstriction as a result of atherosclerosis;
• overweight;
• diabetes;
• stressful situations;
• malnutrition;
• excessive consumption of alcohol, strong coffee and tea;
• smoking;
• lack of physical activity;
• frequent weather changes;
• some diseases.

What is low blood pressure?

Low blood pressure is a vegetovascular dystonia or hypotension.

What happens with hypotension? When the heart contracts, blood enters the vessels. They expand and then gradually narrow. Thus, the vessels help the blood move further through the circulatory system. The pressure is normal. For a number of reasons, vascular tone may decrease. They will remain expanded. Resistance for the movement of blood is then not enough, because of which the pressure drops.

The level of blood pressure in hypotension: upper - 100 or less, lower - 60 or less.

If the pressure drops sharply, then the blood supply in the brain is limited. And this is fraught with consequences such as dizziness and fainting.

Symptoms of low blood pressure may include:

• increased fatigue and lethargy;
• the appearance of darkening in the eyes;
• frequent shortness of breath;
• feeling of cold in the arms and legs;
• hypersensitivity to loud sounds and bright light;
• muscle weakness;
• motion sickness in transport;
• frequent headaches.

What is the cause of low blood pressure?

Poor joint tone and low blood pressure (hypotension) can be from birth. But more often the culprits of low blood pressure are:

• Great tiredness and stress. Congestion at work and at home, stress and lack of sleep cause a decrease in vascular tone.
• Heat and stuffiness. When you sweat, a large amount of fluid comes out of the body. In order to maintain water balance, he pumps water from the blood, which flows through the veins and arteries. Its volumes decrease, the tone of blood vessels decreases. The pressure drops.
• Taking medication. Cardiac drugs, antibiotics, antispasmodics and painkillers can “drop” pressure.
• The occurrence of allergic reactions to anything with a possible anaphylactic shock.

If you have not had hypotension before, do not leave unpleasant symptoms unattended. They can be dangerous “bells” of tuberculosis, stomach ulcers, complications after concussion and other diseases. See your GP.

What to do to normalize the pressure?

These tips will help you feel alert all day if you are hypotensive.

1. Do not rush to get out of bed. Woke up - do a little workout while lying down. Stir your arms and legs. Then sit and slowly get up. Perform actions without sudden movements. they can cause fainting.
2. Take a contrast shower in the morning for 5 minutes. Alternate water - a minute warm, a minute cool. It helps to cheer up and is good for blood vessels.
3. A cup of coffee is good! But only a natural tart drink will increase the pressure. Drink no more than 1-2 cups per day. If you have heart problems, drink green tea instead of coffee. He invigorates no worse than coffee, and does not harm the heart.
4. Sign up for the pool. Walk at least once a week. Swimming improves vascular tone.
5. Buy ginseng tincture. This natural "energy" gives the body a tone. In ¼ cup of water, dissolve 20 drops of tincture. Drink half an hour before meals.
6. Eat sweets. As soon as you feel weak, eat ½ teaspoon of honey or some dark chocolate. Sweets drive away fatigue and drowsiness.
7. Drink clean water. Every day, 2 liters of clean and still. This will help maintain normal blood pressure. If you have a sick heart and kidneys, a doctor should prescribe a drinking regimen.
8. Get enough sleep . A rested body will work as it should. Sleep at least 7-8 hours a day.
9. Do a massage . According to specialists in eastern medicine, there are special points on the body. By acting on them, you can improve well-being. The pressure is located between the nose and upper lip. Gently massage it with your finger for 2 minutes in a clockwise direction. Do it when you feel weak.

First aid for hypotension and hypertension

If you feel dizzy, severe weakness, tinnitus, call an ambulance. In the meantime, the doctors go, proceed:

1. Open the garment collar. Neck and chest should be free.
2. Lie down. Lower your head below. Place a small pillow under your feet.
3. Smell the ammonia. If not, use table vinegar.
4. Have some tea. Necessarily strong and sweet.

If you feel the approach of a hypertensive crisis, then you also need to call a doctor. In general, this disease should always be supported by preventive treatment. As first aid measures, you can resort to such actions:

1. Organize a hot foot bath in which mustard has been added. An alternative may be the application of mustard compresses on the heart, neck and calf.
2. Tie your right and then left arms and legs lightly for half an hour on each side. When a tourniquet is applied, a pulse should be felt.
3. Have a drink from chokeberry. It can be wine, compote, juice. Or eat jam from this berry.

To reduce the risk of the onset and development of hypotension and hypertension, you should adhere to a healthy diet, avoid overweight, exclude harmful foods from the list, move more.

Pressure should be measured from time to time. When observing a trend of high or low blood pressure, it is recommended to consult a doctor to determine the causes and prescription of treatment. Prescribed therapy may include methods to normalize blood pressure, such as taking special medications and herbal infusions, dieting, performing a set of exercises, and so on.