What Blood Pressure Really Means

In its simplest form, blood pressure can be described as the total pressure of the blood which is pushing against the walls of one’s arteries – the arteries are the tube-shaped, elastic, and muscular vessels that are responsible for carrying blood from the heart throughout all the parts of the body, the main channel for blood flow/blood supply. Most of the blood pressure occurs as a result of the pumping of blood by the heart throughout the body’s circulatory system.

The pressure of this blood can be measured using two numbers. The first is the systolic blood pressure, and the second is the diastolic blood pressure. The systolic blood pressure is used in measuring the pressure of the blood in your arteries whilst your heartbeats, that is the maximum amount of pressure exerted in one heartbeat. On the other hand, the diastolic blood pressure is used in measuring the pressure of the blood in your arteries at moments when your heart is at rest, in-between beats, that is the minimum amount of pressure in-between two heartbeats. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) above the surrounding pressure in the atmosphere in that instance (atmospheric pressure). The normal level of blood pressure is 120/80mmHg, that is, 120mmHg of systolic pressure and 80mmHg of diastolic pressure.

In addition to the rate of respiration (respiratory rate), heart rate, body temperature, amongst others, blood pressure is known to be one of the major vital signs that healthcare workers use in the proper evaluation of the health of a patient.

Blood pressure can be influenced by several factors such as arterial stiffness, systemic vascular resistance, cardiac output, amongst others. These factors tend to vary depending on the relative state of health, emotional state, the relative state of disease, et cetera. Although, for short term, the blood pressure of any being can be regulated using specific receptors known as baroreceptors. Baroreceptors act via the brain, with this, they are able to penetrate and thus influence the body’s endocrine as well as nervous systems. In a single individual, the blood pressure level could vary all through the day depending on that individual’s situation(s) for that day. Factors such as smoking, exercise, the type of food eaten (salt or caffeine intake), anxiety, stress, amongst others, can lead to a rise in the individual’s blood pressure.

Furthermore, there are two major clinical cases associated with blood pressure levels viz: Hypertension and Hypotension

1. Hypertension:

Popularly known to be high blood pressure, hypertension is a clinical situation whereby the blood pressure is abnormally high, especially arterial blood pressure. Statistics have shown that high blood pressure is a major health problem. A new set of guidelines were made to be used to define high blood pressure, and with those, there is an estimate by The American Heart Association that clearly states that a high blood pressure level affects nearly 46%, that is nearly half the total number of adults in the United States. Naturally, one’s blood pressure level fluctuates based on the day’s activities. In diagnosing a patient for high blood pressure, the systolic blood pressure is consistently 150mmHg, or higher, while the diastolic blood pressure measures 90mmHg, or even higher.  It is important to note that higher blood pressure levels significantly increase the patient’s risks of other health problems such as (but not limited to) a heart attack, a heart disease, or even a stroke. Usually, high blood pressure develops over time. It could occur due to several factors such as one’s choice of an unhealthy lifestyle (for example, inadequate regular physical activity). Other factors that could greatly cause an increase in blood pressure levels include but are not limited to obesity, diabetes, pregnancy, amongst others. It is of great importance to note that high blood pressure usually has zero warning signs or symptoms, thus, most people do not know they have it. Regularly checking your blood pressure is the only way to find out whether or not you have a high blood pressure.

2. Hypotension:

This is simply the opposite of high blood pressure. It occurs when an individual’s blood pressure level is relatively and consistently low. It occurs when the systolic blood pressure is less than 90mmHg. There are two types of hypotension; primary hypotension and secondary hypotension. Primary hypotension is said to occur when the low blood pressure develops in a case of total absence of any underlying disease whatsoever, in most cases, it develops due to a number of unknown causes. It is also called essential hypotension. The most common symptoms of primary hypotension are body weakness and frequent fatigue: although individuals with primary hypotension are not so easily susceptible to any renal disorders or heart disorders. On the other hand, secondary hypotension occurs as a result of the persistence of some underlying diseases such as nervous diseases, tuberculosis, myocardial infarction (simply, heart attack), amongst others.

It is of great importance to note that having a normal blood pressure level is very vital to life. The absence of this pressure, which is responsible for forcing the flow of blood all around the body’s circulatory system, would greatly lead to an absence of nutrients, oxygen, etc., that should be delivered to the organs and tissues in the body through a common route, called the arteries. A stable blood pressure level is also important as it is responsible for delivering antibodies as well as white blood cells for a major increase in the body’s immunity.

As important as the provision of nutrients and oxygen is to the body, the fresh blood which is constantly getting delivered around the body would be able to take out all the toxic waste products gotten through the body’s metabolism, this toxic waste products also include all the toxins which are cleared through organs like the kidneys and liver as well as the air we exhale in every breath, carbon dioxide.

Blood pressure can be measured using an apparatus called the sphygmomanometer. The sphygmomanometer, sphyg for short, in some cases is used alongside a stethoscope- a medical instrument used in detecting various sounds produced in the body. A more conventional method that can be used to measure blood pressure in a non-invasive way is through the use of auscultation method, i.e. using an aneroid gauge, or as mentioned earlier, a mercury-tube sphygmomanometer specifically. Auscultation method, up until date is still known to be the main standard of accuracy in the measurement of non-invasive measurement of blood pressure in any clinic.

Conclusion

As stated earlier, a high or low blood pressure level has no warning signs or symptoms, and most people are unaware of the fact that they have these conditions. As a result, here are a few guidelines and tips as to how individuals can maintain a healthy blood pressure level.

1. Do well to maintain a very healthy body weight
2. Ensure you eat diet rich foods which are rich in vegetables, fruits, and also dairy products with a low level of fat in them or skimmed milk.
3. Try to reduce your salt and sodium intake, moderate level only.
4. Alcohol intake should be in moderation.
5. Do well to visit a doctor for regular blood pressure checkups, first step is to contact us today to book an appointment.