One of the main indicators of health and proper functioning of the body is blood pressure. The strength and speed with which blood moves through the vessels determines the well-being and performance of a person. A pressure of 120 to 80 is considered normal. But fluctuations in its performance are now more and more common. Not only older people, but young people already know how pressure is measured. Many people understand that deviation of indicators from the norm causes headaches, weakness and malaise. The pressure is now measured on a special device - a tonometer. Many even have it at home. The tonometer gives two indicators: upper and lower pressure. What does this mean, not everyone understands. True, in most cases, measurement is only necessary for control, and the doctor must decide on the need for treatment. But all the same, those who often increase or decrease these indicators need to know as much as possible about them.
What is blood pressure?
This is one of the main indicators of human vitality. Pressure is provided by the work of the heart and blood vessels through which blood circulates. Its amount is affected by its quantity and heart rate. Each beat of the heart throws a portion of blood with a certain force. And the magnitude of its pressure on the walls of the vessels also depends on this. It turns out that its highest indices are observed in the vessels closest to it, and the farther, the less they are.
Determining what pressure should be, they took the average value, which is measured in the brachial artery. This is a diagnostic procedure performed by a doctor in case of any complaints of deterioration in health. Almost everyone knows that the measurement determines the upper and lower pressure. What does the measurement result mean, the doctor does not always explain. And not all people even know the indicators that are normal for them. But everyone who has at least once encountered an increase or decrease in pressure understands how important it is to control it. Lifestyle changes, proper nutrition and the right level of physical activity will help keep your heart and blood vessels healthy.
Upper and lower pressure
What this definition means is not everyone understands. Basically, people know that normally the pressure should be 120 to 80. For many, this is enough. And only patients with hypertension or hypotension are familiar with the concepts of systolic and diastolic pressure. What is it?
1. Systolic or upper pressure means the maximum force with which the blood moves through the vessels. It is determined at the time of contraction of the heart.
2. Lower - diastolic pressure, shows the level of resistance that blood meets when passing through the vessels. She is moving passively at this moment, so his performance is lower than the first.
The pressure in millimeters of mercury is measured. And although other diagnostic tools are being used now, this name has been preserved. And indicators of 120 to 80 are the upper and lower pressure. What does it mean? 120 is the upper or systolic pressure, and 80 is the lower. How can these concepts be deciphered?
Systolic pressure
This is the force with which the heart throws blood. This value depends on the number of heart contractions and their intensity. The upper pressure indicator is used to determine the state of the heart muscle and large arteries, such as the aorta. Its value depends on several factors:
- volume of the left ventricle of the heart;
- blood ejection rate;
- heart rate;
- conditions of coronary vessels and aorta.
Therefore, sometimes the upper pressure is called "cardiac" and judged by these numbers on the correct operation of this body. But the doctor must make a conclusion about the state of the body, taking into account many factors. After all, the normal upper pressure is different for all people. The norm can be considered indicators of 90 mm and even 140, if a person feels good.
Diastolic pressure
At the time of relaxation of the heart muscle, the blood presses on the walls of the vessels with minimal force. These indicators are called lower or diastolic pressure. They are determined mainly by the state of the vessels and are measured at the time of maximum relaxation of the heart. The force with which their walls resist the flow of blood is the lower pressure. The lower the elasticity of the vessels and their patency, the higher it is. Often this is due to the condition of the kidneys. They produce a special enzyme, renin, which affects the muscle tone of blood vessels. Therefore, diastolic pressure is sometimes called "renal". An increase in its level may indicate a disease of the kidneys or thyroid gland.
What should be normal pressure indicators
It has long been customary to take measurements on the brachial artery. She is the most affordable, in addition, her position allows us to take the results as average. To do this, use a cuff into which air is pumped. Squeezing the blood vessels, the device allows you to hear the pulse in them. The person taking the measurements notices on which division the beating started - this is the upper pressure, and where it ended - the lower. Now there are electronic blood pressure monitors with which the patient himself can control his condition. A pressure of 120 to 80 is considered normal, but these are average values.
Someone with a value of 110 or even 100 at 60-70 will feel good. And with age, indicators of 130-140 to 90-100 are considered normal. In order to determine at what values the patient begins to feel a deterioration, a pressure table is needed. The results of regular measurements are recorded in it and help determine the causes and boundaries of fluctuations. Doctors recommend that even a healthy person undergo such an examination to determine what pressure is normal for him.
Hypertension - what is it
Recently, more and more people are faced with this ailment. Hypertension is a persistent increase in pressure. For some, an increase of already 10 units is characterized by a deterioration in well-being. With age, such fluctuations are seen less. But it is the state of the heart and blood vessels, and, accordingly, the magnitude of the upper blood pressure that determines the development of arterial hypertension, better known as hypertension. The doctor makes such a diagnosis if the indicators often increase by 20-30 mm for no particular reason. According to WHO standards, the development of hypertension is indicated by a pressure above 140 per 100. But for some, these values can be lower or higher. And the pressure table will help him to find out the norm.
At the initial stage of hypertension, it is possible to normalize the condition with the help of lifestyle changes and getting rid of bad habits. Therefore, it is so important to regularly monitor your pressure in order to seek help in time. After all, its increase to 180 mm can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Features of hypotension
Low blood pressure is not considered as dangerous as high blood pressure. But it significantly worsens the standard of living. After all, a decrease in pressure leads to oxygen deficiency and a decrease in working capacity. The patient feels weakness, constant fatigue and drowsiness. His head is spinning and sore, may darken in his eyes. A sharp decrease in pressure to 50 mm can lead to death. Typically, persistent hypotension occurs in young people and passes with age. But you still need to control the pressure. After all, any change in its indicators indicates deficiencies in the work of the heart and blood vessels.
Little difference between upper and lower pressure
Each person is individual. And normal pressure readings can be uneven. But it is believed that the difference between the upper and lower pressure should be 30-40 units. Doctors also pay attention to this indicator, as it may indicate the development of certain diseases. It is also sometimes called pulse pressure. In itself, its value does not mean anything, the main thing is the well-being of the patient. But a small difference between the upper and lower pressure may be due to impaired renal function or poor vascular elasticity.
What pressure indicators depend on
The force with which blood moves through the vessels and presses on their walls is determined by many factors:
- heredity and genetic diseases;
- way of life;
- nutritional features;
- emotional state of a person;
- the presence of bad habits;
- the value of physical activity.
These values strongly depend on age. You should not drive children and adolescents into the framework of 120 by 80, as for them these figures will be overstated. Indeed, most often the pressure rises with age. And for the elderly, already indicators of 140 to 90 will be natural. An experienced doctor can find out normal pressure by age, correctly determining the cause of the ailment. And it often happens that hypotension after 40 years passes by itself or, conversely, hypertension develops.
Why do I need to measure pressure
Many people relieve headaches with pills, without going to the doctor to find out the cause. But an increase in pressure even by 10 units not only causes a deterioration in well-being, but can also adversely affect health:
- the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases increases;
- cerebrovascular accident and stroke may develop;
- the state of the vessels of the legs worsens;
- often renal failure develops;
- memory deteriorates, speech is impaired - these are also the consequences of high blood pressure.
Therefore, constant monitoring is necessary, especially when weakness, dizziness and headaches occur. It is difficult to say exactly what pressure one or another person should have. After all, all people are different, and you need to focus on well-being. In addition, even in a healthy person, the pressure during the day can fluctuate.