Our body comprises several body parts with an intense nervous system. Our brain sends neural messages to operate our body in a very well functioned manner. Nerves play a vital role in transferring communication. Blood running inside the nerves is what gives us life. The movement of blood, which is nearly 4.5 to 5.5 litres makes us active and fit. The pressure of the blood is important for several reasons, about which we will talk about in the article below.
This article will provide insights into the following topics:
- What is the normal blood pressure range?
- Blood pressure normal range
- Blood pressure by age
- bBood pressure definition
- High Blood Pressure | Hypertension
- Blood pressure meaning
- Normal blood pressure
- Low blood pressure
- Blood pressure: What is normal?
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force in which the blood pushes against the blood vessels. The pressure in which the hearts pumps the blood continuously builds up, and it is measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg). Whenever we are admitted in the hospital or visit any health care specialist, they first check our blood pressure. There are a couple of reasons why they do that. The doctors check whether the patients have high blood pressure. Nowadays, portable and handy blood pressure kits are available in the market as it helps older people to check it in their home. Further in the article, we will explore the types, function purposes and tips to maintain a normal blood pressure count.
The necessity of checking our blood pressure
The foremost thing which the nurses check when we enter into any healthcare centre is our blood pressure. High blood pressure directly denotes Hypertension and hypertension impacts our body to a great extent. Heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, heart failure, weakened and narrowed blood vessels in the kidneys, thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes, Metabolic syndrome, trouble with memory or understanding, dementia are few diseases which are the results of hypertension. Therefore blood pressure is closely related to hypertension, and abnormal blood pressure may result in several diseases.
Checking blood pressure is a means for health care workers to detect if a person is at risk for heart disease or stroke. High blood pressure is also referred to with a popular term known as a "silent killer" as people take it for granted, and it goes unnoticed.
Types of blood pressure
Blood pressure measures the power on the arterial walls as the heart pumps blood all over the body. Normal blood pressure is fundamental to lead a healthy life. There are two major types of blood pressure, namely, Systolic blood pressure and Diastolic blood pressure, which will be discussed further below.
Systolic blood pressure
Systolic blood pressure refers to the tension inside your arteries when your heart is pumping the blood to reach the body parts. To enforce proper circulation and to keep the parts alive and active, the heart keeps pumping regularly. The blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats. The beating of the heart equals the pumping of the blood.
Diastolic blood pressure
Diastolic pressure refers to the tension inside your arteries when your heart is resting in between the beats. When we hear our heart sounds, we realise it takes a break after a pump. When the heart is at rest, between beats, the blood pressure of the person falls.
Blood Pressure Reading
Blood Pressure reading has two numbers mentioned in the machine. The systolic number appears before or above the diastolic number. For example, if 140/90 is the reading, then means a systolic of 140 and a diastolic of 90. Both the readings are necessary to determine the state of your heart's health. If the figures are greater than the ideal range, then it indicates that the heart is working too laboriously to pump blood to the rest of your body. Blood pressure by age calculator is available online, and almost anyone can make use of it.
Reading range of blood pressure
There are a total of five categories for the blood pressure which is measured, and required steps must be taken according to it.
1. Normal Blood Pressure
When the systolic (mm Hg) is less than 120, and the diastolic (mm Hg) is less than 80 then it is Normal Blood Pressure.
2. Elevated Blood Pressure
When the systolic (mm Hg) is in the range 120-129, and the diastolic (mm Hg) is less than 80 then it is Elevated Blood Pressure.
3. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 1
When the systolic (mm Hg) is in the range 130-139, and the diastolic (mm Hg) is in the range of 80-89 then it is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 1.
4. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 2
When the systolic (mm Hg) is 140 or higher, and the diastolic (mm Hg) is 90 or higher, then it is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 2.
5. Hypertensive Crisis
When the systolic (mm Hg) is higher than 180 and the diastolic (mm Hg) is higher than 120 then it is Hypertensive Crisis. People in this stage must consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Normal blood pressure by age
After discussing such intricate information regarding blood pressure, one might ask, "What is average blood pressure by age?". Averagely 120 Systolic blood pressure and 80 Diastolic blood pressure is considered normal for all the sexes and of all ages. Blood Pressure chart by age and height, Blood Pressure chart by age and gender conveys the same information in different forms.
The function of blood pressure
Blood is the primary source of nutrition which runs through all the body parts. Blood is almost like petrol which lubricates the engine and keeps it working in the same force. Oxygen or any other nutrients cannot be delivered through the vessels, the tissues and organs without the pressure to drive the blood through the circulatory system. Blood pressure also assists in circulating white blood cells throughout the body so they can shield the body against illness and disease. Therefore, strong immunity is built. The ultimate function of blood pressure is to transport nutrients to the different parts of the body.
How is blood pressure affected?
As human beings, we are born with almost perfect bodies in a flawless condition. As we age, we tend to forget that our bodies are the first home we live in and spoil it by many unhealthy habits.
The following are a few practices which disrupt the normal blood pressure.
- Not emptying the bladder whenever possible/ full bladder.
- Smoking.
- Being obese.
- Overconsumption of alcohol.
- Over intake of salt.
- Stress.
- Absence or little consumption of potassium in the diet.
- Absence or little consumption of Vitamin D in the diet.
- Chronic diseases like diabetes and kidney diseases.
Tips to maintain a healthy blood pressure
Maintaining normal blood pressure is vital for staying disease-free. Very few changes might result in a great difference when it comes to health matters. The following are a few suggestions about maintaining normal blood pressure.
- Exercise whenever you can. It is important to involve in physical activity at least 30 minutes per day.
- Stay fit. Try to maintain the correct BMI (Body Mass Index). If not try reducing a few pounds which will impact the blood pressure in a good way.
- Try practising yoga as it soothes the breathing and increases the blood flow.
- Reduce alcohol intake and substitute it with a limited quantity of wine.
- Quit smoking step by step as it erodes our lungs and health.
Conclusion
Overall, we must remember that too much of anything is good for nothing. These are the information one must have in their mind if they want their organs to stay lubricated to run up to 100 kilometres per hour without breaking down or getting stuck.
Co-author: Akshaya Saravana Kumar
Akshaya is currently pursuing Masters in English Literature. She is an avid reader, an animal lover and a movie freak. She loves to spend her past time travelling to strange places in different time zones with her imagination and fall in love with fictional characters.
