One of the main indicators of he alth and proper functioning of the body is blood pressure. The strength and speed with which blood moves through the vessels determine the well-being and performance of a person. A pressure of 120 over 80 is considered normal. But fluctuations in its indicators are now becoming more common. Already not only the elderly, but also young people know how pressure is measured. Many understand that the deviation of indicators from the norm causes headaches, weakness and malaise. Now the pressure is measured on a special device - a tonometer. Many even have it at home. The tonometer gives two indicators: upper and lower pressure. What this means, not everyone understands. True, in most cases, the measurement is needed only for control, and the doctor should decide on the need for treatment. But still, those who have these indicators often increase or decrease need to know as much as possible about them.
What is arterialpressure
This is one of the main indicators of a person's vital activity. Pressure is provided by the work of the heart and blood vessels through which blood circulates. Its value is affected by its quantity and heart rate. Each heartbeat ejects a portion of blood with a certain force. And the magnitude of its pressure on the walls of blood vessels also depends on this. It turns out that its highest indicators are observed in the vessels closest to it, and the farther away, the less they are.
Determining what pressure should be, we took the average value, which is measured in the brachial artery. This is a diagnostic procedure performed by a doctor for any complaints of a deterioration in he alth. Almost everyone knows that the measurement determines the upper and lower pressure. What the measurement result means, the doctor does not always explain. And not all people even know the indicators that are normal for them. But everyone who has ever 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 he althy.
Up and down pressure
What does this definition mean, 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 maximumthe force with which blood moves through the vessels. It is determined at the moment of contraction of the heart.
2. Lower - diastolic pressure, shows the level of resistance that the blood meets, passing through the vessels. She is currently moving passively, so his performance is lower than the first.
Pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury. And although other devices for diagnostics are now used, 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 one. How can these concepts be deciphered?
Systolic pressure
This is the force with which the heart ejects blood. This value depends on the number of heartbeats and their intensity. The upper pressure indicator is used to determine the condition 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 speed;
- heart rate;
- condition of coronary vessels and aorta.
Therefore, sometimes the upper pressure is called "heart" and judged by these numbers about the correct functioning of this body. But the doctor should make a conclusion about the state of the body, taking into account many factors. After all, normal upper pressure is different for everyone. The norm can be considered indicators of 90 mm and even 140 if the person feels good.
Diastolicpressure
At the moment 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 moment of maximum relaxation of the heart. The strength with which their walls resist the flow of blood is the lower pressure. The lower the elasticity of the vessels and their permeability, 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 the normal pressure readings
It has long been customary to take measurements on the brachial artery. It is the most accessible, in addition, its position allows us to take the results as average. To do this, use a cuff into which air is injected. By squeezing the blood vessels, the device allows you to hear the pulse in them. The person taking the measurements notices at which division the beating began - this is the upper pressure, and where it ended - the lower one. Now there are electronic tonometers, with the help of which the patient himself can control his condition. Normal pressure is 120 over 80, but these are averages.
Someone with a size of 110 or even 100 over 60-70 will feel good. And with age, indicators of 130-140 to 90-100 are considered normal. In order to determine under whatvalues, the patient begins to feel a deterioration, a pressure table is needed. The results of regular measurements are entered into it and help determine the causes and limits of fluctuations. Doctors recommend even a he althy person to undergo such an examination to determine what pressure is normal for him.
Hypertension - what is it
Recently more and more people are facing this disease. Hypertension is a persistent increase in blood pressure. For some, an increase in indicators by 10 units is already characterized by a deterioration in well-being. With age, such fluctuations are noticed less. But it is the state of the heart and blood vessels, and, accordingly, the value of the upper arterial 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 the standards adopted by WHO, the development of hypertension is indicated by a pressure above 140 per 100. But for some, these values \u200b\u200bmay be lower or higher. And the pressure table will help you find out the norm.
At the initial stage of hypertension, it is possible to normalize the condition through 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. Because the pressure dropleads to oxygen deficiency and reduced performance. The patient feels weakness, constant fatigue and drowsiness. He is dizzy and has a headache, may darken in the eyes. A sharp drop in pressure to 50 mm can lead to death. Usually, permanent hypotension occurs in young people and disappears with age. But you still need to control the pressure. After all, any change in its indicators indicates shortcomings in the work of the heart and blood vessels.
Small difference between upper and lower pressures
Every person is different. And normal pressure readings may vary. 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 sometimes also called pulse pressure. By itself, its value does not say anything, the main thing is the patient's well-being. But a small difference between the upper and lower pressure may be due to a malfunction of the kidneys or poor elasticity of the vessels.
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;
- lifestyle;
- food features;
- emotional state of a person;
- having bad habits;
- the magnitude of physical activity.
These values strongly depend on age. Shouldn't be drivenchildren and adolescents within the framework of 120 to 80, since for them these figures will be too high. After all, blood pressure tends to increase with age. And for older people, already indicators of 140 to 90 will be natural. An experienced doctor can find out the 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 measure blood 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 he alth:
- increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease;
- cerebrovascular accident and stroke may develop;
- worsening condition of the vessels of the legs;
- kidney failure often develops;
- memory worsens, speech is disturbed - these are also consequences of high blood pressure.
Therefore, constant monitoring is necessary, especially when weakness, dizziness and headaches appear. It is difficult to say exactly what pressure this or that person should have. After all, all people are different, and you need to focus on well-being. In addition, even a he althy person's blood pressure can fluctuate throughout the day.
