Blood pressure is one of the parameters that is extremely important in assessing your overall he alth, especially cardiovascular he alth. Regular blood pressure measurement can be performed on its own and is the best way to detect early symptoms of many diseases, such as heart attacks, atherosclerosis, or kidney failure. What are the blood pressure standards? Are there easy ways to reduce blood pressure naturally?

Blood pressureis nothing but the force with which the flowing blood acts on the walls of the blood vessels. It is measured in millimeters of mercury, or mmHg. This puzzling name of the measuring unit has a historical origin, when in fact pressure was measured in long mercury-filled capillaries.

Blood pressure is expressed as two numbers separated by a slash:

  • the first value, usually the higher one, is the so-calledsystolic pressure- which characterizes the pressure exerted by the blood pumping through the arteries during the contraction of the heart,
  • the second, lower value, i.e.diastolic pressuree - this is the pressure exerted by the blood when the heart is at rest between regular contractions. In the diastolic phase, the heart muscle "rests" and its chambers are filled with blood.

Blood pressure values ​​are subject to constant changes, both in the short-term, e.g. related to the daily cycle, activity or emotional state, and in the long-term - related to age or chronic diseases. Statistics warn that even every third adult Pole suffers from hypertension, which is also becoming a serious global problem.

Blood pressure norms

The ideal pressure for a he althy adult should be around 120/80 mm Hg . However, each of us leads a slightly different lifestyle, so slight deviations from these values ​​are considered normal and physiological.

Currently, the Polish Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Cardiology consider 140 mm Hg as the maximum permissible value of systolic pressure in an adult human, and a maximum of 90 mm Hg in the case of diastolic pressure.

Above these values,hypertension is diagnosed , which is conventionally divided into 3degrees:

  • 140-159 / 90-99 mm Hg - 1st degree hypertension
  • 160-179 / 100-109 mm Hg - 2nd degree hypertension
  • 180/110 mm Hg - grade 3 hypertension

It should also be noted thatblood pressure values ​​in childrenare usually lower and amount to:

  • in newborns in the first month of life - on average 102/55 mm Hg
  • in children between 1-8 years of age - on average 110/75 mm Hg.

What is blood pressure measured?

One of the most popular methods of blood pressure measurement, very often used in GP surgeries, is the so-called Korotkov's method. This technique usessphingomanometer(i.e. a graduated gauge, usually a spring or electronic one) andstethoscopemedical.

The measurement is made on the arm, on the radial artery, by pumping pressure in a special cuff and then slowly releasing it. Thanks to the presence of the stethoscope, the doctor listens to the sounds of the heartbeat and notes the values ​​at which its rhythm disappears.

Despite the advances in technology, the Korotkov method is still considered the most accurate and very precise, especially in patients with cardiac arrhythmias.

Many specialists believe, however, that blood pressure measurements taken at home (with regular examinations, e.g. in the morning and in the evening) may be more reliable because the patient is relaxed and does not stress as much as when visiting an internist's office.

There is even talk of a phenomenon known as the "white coat effect" - when the patient, even unknowingly, reacts stressfully to a visit to a specialist by increasing the blood pressure.

Nowadays, much more convenient automatic devices are recommended for systematic self-examination at home. They can be equipped with memory of measurement results, functions of reminding about the upcoming time of the daily test or indicator lamps informing about abnormal results.

Modernblood pressure monitorsare also equipped with a pulse oximeter, i.e. a device measuring the level of blood saturation with oxygen (so-called saturation), which is especially useful in the times of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Remember, however, that no device, even the most modern device, can replace a professional consultation.

Hypertension symptoms and effects

In order to diagnose arterial hypertension, it is necessary to perform several series of separate measurements made on different days. If the systolic blood pressure exceeds 140, and the diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg, you can already speak of hypertension.

WIn the initial phase, hypertension rarely manifests itself with characteristic symptoms, therefore many patients do not suspect their disease at all. As the disease progresses, there may be few specific symptoms, for example :

  • frequent headaches and dizziness,
  • shortness of breath,
  • palpitations,
  • insomnia,
  • sweating,
  • hot flashes.

Advanced high blood pressure can lead to serious complications and damage other organs. In this phase of the disease, especially in the presence of impaired kidney function, additional ailments may also appear:

  • easy cooling of limbs,
  • puffiness,
  • sensory disturbance,
  • visual disturbance,
  • decrease in intellectual performance.

The consequences of untreated hypertension affect the entire body, increasing the risk of developing, among others :

  • heart attack,
  • heart failure,
  • stroke
  • or the development of atherosclerosis.

This is why it is so important to have your blood pressure checked regularly, especially in the elderly.

According to an expertKrystyna Knypl, MD, PhD, internist

Pressure in a teenager

What is the safe pressure and heart rate range after rest at 15? I would like to add that I am 165 cm tall and weigh 54 kg.

Dr. Krystyna Knypl, internist:

Pressure in adolescents is determined similarly to height and weight according to the so-called percentile grid.

Optimal pressure for this age group is 109/61, pressure should not exceed 122/79 .

Your heart rate should be below 78 beats per minute and above 60 beats .

However, you should not interpret the results yourself mechanically and only rely on numbers, because in the case of limit values ​​it is necessary to know other parameters as well as the circumstances and technical data of the measurement - what measuring equipment, what cuff width, who measured, under what conditions .

Blood pressure and heart rate are highly variable parameters and many factors affect their result. If there are doubts as to the results, ask the parents or guardians to visit a doctor under whose care the given person is.

Hypertension in pregnancy

Controlling blood pressure is also extremely important in pregnant women, because too high values ​​of it pose a threat to the he alth of both the mother and the baby.Mild gestational hypertension is diagnosed at values ​​around 140-159 / 90-109 mm Hg, while severe hypertension - over 160/110 mm Hg .

In womenDuring pregnancy, two different clinical types of hypertension can be distinguished:

  • chronic- which occurred before the woman became pregnant or before the 20th week of pregnancy and lasts longer than 6 weeks after giving birth,
  • pregnancy- a symptom complex that occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy, during childbirth or the postpartum period.

It should be noted that every pregnancy in women with chronic hypertension is a high-risk condition, therefore it should be carefully monitored by a doctor. High blood pressure can lead to complications such as stunted growth or death of the baby, as well as premature separation of the placenta and premature birth.

The most recent type of gestational hypertension is the so-called preeclampsia, which may be associated with proteinuria, organ damage, and internal haemorrhage.

Although this syndrome is relatively rare (around 2% of pregnant women), it is very dangerous and can lead to coma and sudden death of a woman and her baby.

How to treat hypertension?

In the treatment of hypertension, an individual approach to the patient is necessary, taking into account his general he alth, age, physical fitness and the existence of other diseases. In pharmacological treatment, several groups of drugs are used, called antihypertensive (antihypertensive) drugs, including:

  • diuretic preparations - the so-called diuretics - which help to get rid of excess water and sodium accumulated in the tissues,
  • alpha and beta-blockers - reduce the tension of smooth muscles in blood vessels,
  • calcium channel blockers - several classes of drugs that reduce the influx of calcium ions to cells and, as a result, block the possibility of excessive muscle contraction and relaxation,
  • angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors - the so-called ACE-inhibitors - inhibit the action of the angiotensin converting enzyme, which converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II, thanks to which the blood vessels relax.

Parallel to the implemented treatment with pharmaceuticals (and often even instead of it), a lifestyle change is necessary. Hypertension very often goes hand in hand with overweight and obesity.

In addition to lack of exercise, risk factors can be:

  • smoking,
  • excessive sodium intake (recommended daily s alt intake should not exceed half a teaspoon, i.e. approx. 3.8 g!),
  • excessive alcohol consumption,
  • chronic stress.

A he althy diet can also be supported by natural supplementation, e.g. with herbs and plant preparations with a provenblood pressure lowering effect.

It is worth reaching for regularly:

  • garlic (one clove of this popular spice a day works great as an antioxidant and improves blood flow in the vessels),
  • linden flower (flavonoids and essential oils contained in it have a diaphoretic effect, and terpenes have a mild antihypertensive effect),
  • motherwort herb (the alkaloids it contains not only lower blood pressure but also have a calming effect).

Hypotension

Some people may have systolic blood pressurebelow 100-105 mmHg . This phenomenon is calledhypotension or hypotension , but does not necessarily indicate a medical condition.

Such low blood pressure values ​​are often found in young girls in their puberty, slim women, and also in people who regularly engage in intense physical activity.

Hypotension is usually of genetic origin and runs in the family inheritance. Although it is not as dangerous for the functioning of internal organs as hypertension, it should not be ignored because it may result from other abnormalities, such as:

  • sodium deficiency in the body,
  • hypothyroidism,
  • hypopituitarism,
  • adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease),
  • heart failure.

Unnaturally low blood pressures can also be caused by side effects of poorly chosen antidepressants, sleeping pills, diuretics or heart medications.

The discomfort associated with hypotension can significantly reduce the quality of life. The most common symptoms are:

  • constant fatigue and energy loss,
  • pale skin,
  • sleepiness,
  • dizziness or headaches (especially in the frontal area)
  • fainting,
  • palpitations,
  • cold hands and feet,
  • nausea.

How to treat hypotension?

Some people may have a natural predisposition to low blood pressure, so such symptoms should not be treated immediately with pharmacological treatment. Hypotension is much easier to "regulate" with simple home remedies than hypertension.

Proven methods and means of increasing and regulating blood pressure include :

  • lying down for a few minutes (improves blood supply to the brain),
  • drinking cool liquid (it is best to drink about 2 liters of water a day, i.e. about 8 glasses),
  • implementation of regular aerobic physical activity, e.g. brisk walking, cycling orswimming,
  • avoiding staying in one position (e.g. while watching TV for too long), which may negatively affect blood flow in the body,
  • adequate amount of sleep (improves the regeneration of the body),
  • eating smaller portions of meals more often.

Checking your blood pressure regularly is a simple and inexpensive way to look after your own he alth, allowing you to detect high blood pressure relatively early and correct the problem before it becomes too late.

Remember that blood pressure values ​​naturally increase with age. That is why it is worth taking care of a he althy diet, exercise and elimination of risk factors for hypertension in the form of cigarettes and alcohol at every moment of your life.

Category:

Cardiology