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 BP?
Blood pressure is the process of squeezing the walls of capillaries, arteries and veins under the influence of blood circulation.
Types of blood pressure:
- upper, or systolic;
- lower, or diastolic.
When determining the level of blood pressure, both of these values should be taken into account. The units of its measurement remained the very first - millimeters of a mercury column. This is due to the fact that mercury was used in the old devices to determine the level of blood pressure. Therefore, the BP indicator looks like this: upper blood pressure (for example, 130) / lower blood pressure (for example, 70) mm Hg. st.
Circumstances that directly affect blood pressure range include:
- level of force of contractions performed by the heart;
- proportion of blood pumped out by the heartduring each contraction;
- resistance of the walls of blood vessels, which turns out to be 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 change throughout the day and with age. But most he althy people have stable BP.
Determination of types of blood pressure
Systolic (upper) blood pressure is a characteristic of the general condition of the veins, capillaries, arteries, as well as their tone, which is caused by 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 the heart contractions.
It is unreasonable to say that blood pressure and heart pressure are the same concept, 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 maximally relaxed.
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 is responsible for the level of blood pressure - their tone and elasticity.
How do I check my blood pressure?
You can find out your blood pressure level using a specialdevice called a blood pressure monitor. You can do this both at the doctor's (or nurse's) and at home, having previously bought the device at the pharmacy.
The following types of blood pressure monitors are distinguished:
- automatic;
- semi-automatic;
- mechanical.
Mechanical blood pressure monitor consists of a cuff, a pressure gauge or display, a pear for pumping air and a stethoscope. Principle of operation: put the cuff on your arm, put a stethoscope under it (while you should hear the pulse), inflate 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 stethoscope headphones, 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 operation: put on the cuff, pump the air to the maximum with a pear, then let it out. The electronic display shows the upper and lower values of blood pressure and the number of beats per minute - pulse.
Automatic blood pressure monitor consists of a cuff, an electronic display and a compressor that performs inflation and deflation manipulations. How it works: put on the cuff, start the device and wait for the result.
It is generally accepted that a mechanical blood pressure monitor gives the most accurate result. It's also more affordable. At the same time, the most convenient to use are automatic andsemi-automatic tonometers. Such models are especially suitable for older people. Moreover, some species have the function of voice notification of pressure indicators.
It is worth measuring blood pressure indicators no earlier than thirty minutes after any physical exertion (even minor ones) and one hour after drinking 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 normal for age
Each person has an individual blood pressure norm, which may not be associated with any disease.
Blood pressure levels are determined by a number of factors that are of particular importance:
- age and gender of the person;
- personal characteristics;
- lifestyle;
- lifestyle features (work activity, preferred type of leisure, and so on).
Blood pressure also tends to rise 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 for a while and for a long period. For example, when a person is under stress, his blood pressure can rise to thirty mm Hg. Art. from the norm.
At the same time, there are certain limits of normal blood pressure. And every eventen points of deviation from the norm indicate a violation of the body.
| Age | Upper level of blood pressure, mm Hg. st. | Lower level of blood pressure, mm Hg. st. |
| 1 - 10 years | 95 | 60 |
| 10-15 | 95 to 110 | 60 to 70 |
| 16 - 20 years old | 110 to 120 | 70 to 80 |
| 21 - 40 years old | 120 to 130 | 70 to 80 |
| 41 - 60 years old | up to 140 | 90 |
| 61 - 70 years | from 140 to 147 | 85 |
| Over 71 | from 147 | to 85 |
You can also calculate an individual blood pressure value using the following formulas:
1. Men:
- upper BP=109 + (0.5full years) + (0.1weight in kg);
- lower blood pressure=74 + (0.1full years) + (0.15weight in kg).
2. Women:
- upper BP=102 + (0.7full years) + 0.15weight in kg);
- lower BP=74 + (0.2full years) + (0.1weight in kg).
Received valueround to an integer according to the rules of arithmetic. That is, if it turned out to be 120.5, then when rounded 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 overestimation should be judged, taking into account both indicators.
Regardless of whether the lower blood pressure is high or the upper, it is a disease. And it's called hypertension.
There are three degrees of the disease:
- first - SBP 140-160 / DBP 90-100;
- second - SAD 161-180 / DBP 101-110;
- third - SAD 181 and more / DBP 111 and more.
Talking about hypertension is when there is a high level of blood pressure values for a long period.
According to statistics, an overestimated systolic pressure is most often observed in women, and diastolic - in men and the elderly.
Symptoms of high blood pressure can be:
- decrease in performance;
- appearance of fatigue;
- frequent feeling of weakness;
- morning neck pain;
- frequent dizziness;
- appearance of nosebleeds;
- tinnitus;
- decrease in visual acuity;
- swelling of the legs at the end of the day.
Causes of high blood pressure
If the lower blood pressure is high, then most likely this is one of the symptoms of a disease of the thyroid gland, kidneys, adrenal glands,who began to produce renin in large quantities. It, in turn, increases the tone of the muscles of blood vessels.
High lower blood pressure is fraught with the development of even more serious diseases.
High upper pressure indicates too frequent heartbeats.
A jump in blood pressure can be caused by a number of reasons. This is for example:
- vasoconstriction due to atherosclerosis;
- overweight;
- diabetes mellitus;
- stress situations;
- malnutrition;
- excessive consumption of alcohol, strong coffee and tea;
- smoking;
- lack of exercise;
- frequent weather changes;
- some diseases.
What is low BP?
Lower blood pressure is 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 to move further through the circulatory system. The pressure is normal. For a number of reasons, vascular tone may decrease. They will remain expanded. Then there is not enough resistance for the movement of blood, due to which the pressure drops.
Hypotension blood pressure level: upper - 100 and less, lower - 60 and less.
If the pressure drops sharply, then the blood supply to the brain is limited. And this is fraught with consequences such asdizziness and fainting.
Symptoms of low blood pressure can be:
- increased fatigue and lethargy;
- appearance of darkening in the eyes;
- frequent shortness of breath;
- feeling cold in hands and feet;
- increased sensitivity to loud sounds and bright lights;
- muscle weakness;
- motion sickness in transport;
- frequent headaches.
What causes low blood pressure?
Poor joint tone and low blood pressure (hypotension) can be present from birth. But more often the culprits of low blood pressure are:
- Severe fatigue 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, it pumps water out of the blood that flows through the veins and arteries. Its volume decreases, vascular tone decreases. The pressure drops.
- Medication taking. Heart drugs, antibiotics, antispasmodics and painkillers can “drop” blood pressure.
- The occurrence of allergic reactions to anything with possible anaphylactic shock.
If you haven't had hypotension before, don't leave unpleasant symptoms unattended. They can be dangerous "bells" of tuberculosis, stomach ulcers, complications after a concussion and other diseases. See a therapist.
What to do to normalize the pressure?
These tips will help you feel fresh all overday if you are hypotensive.
- Don't rush to get out of bed. Wake up - do a little warm-up lying down. Move your arms and legs. Then sit down and stand up slowly. Perform actions without sudden movements. they can cause fainting.
- Take a contrast shower in the morning for 5 minutes. Alternate water - a minute warm, a minute cool. This will help to cheer up and is good for blood vessels.
- A cup of coffee is good! But only a natural tart drink will raise the pressure. Drink no more than 1-2 cups per day. If you have heart problems, drink green tea instead of coffee. It invigorates no worse than coffee, but does not harm the heart.
- Sign up for the pool. Go at least once a week. Swimming improves vascular tone.
- Buy ginseng tincture. This natural "energy" gives tone to the body. Dissolve 20 drops of tincture in ¼ cup of water. Drink half an hour before meals.
- Eat sweets. As soon as you feel weak - eat ½ teaspoon of honey or a little dark chocolate. Sweets will drive away fatigue and drowsiness.
- Drink clean water. Daily 2 liters of pure and non-carbonated. This will help keep your blood pressure at a normal level. If you have a diseased heart and kidneys, the drinking regimen should be prescribed by a doctor.
- Sleep well. A rested body will work as it should. Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night.
- Massage. According to experts in oriental medicine, there are special points on the body. By acting on them, you can improve your well-being. Pressure is controlled by the point between the nose andupper lip. Gently massage it with your finger for 2 minutes in a clockwise direction. Do this 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, act:
- Open the collar of your clothes. The neck and chest should be loose.
- Lie down. Lower your head down. Place a small pillow under your feet.
- Smell the ammonia. If not, use table vinegar.
- Drink some tea. Definitely strong and sweet.
If you feel the approach of a hypertensive crisis, then you also need to call the doctors. In general, this disease should always be supported by preventive treatment. As first aid measures, you can resort to the following actions:
- Organize a foot bath with hot water, which is pre-added with mustard. An alternative would be to apply mustard compresses to the heart, back of the head and calves.
- Lightly bind the right and then the left arm and leg for half an hour each side. With a tourniquet applied, a pulse should be felt.
- Drink an chokeberry drink. It can be wine, compote, juice. Or eat jam from this berry.
To reduce the risk of developing and developing hypotension and hypertension, you should adhere to a he althy diet, prevent excess weight, exclude harmful foods from the list, move more.
Pressure should be measuredoccasionally. When observing a trend of high or low blood pressure, it is recommended to consult a doctor to determine the causes and prescribe treatment. Prescribed therapies may include blood pressure management such as medications, herbal infusions, diet, exercise, and so on.
