subject: Critical Blood Pressure Information That Could Save Your Life [print this page] Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is sometimes known as the "silent killer" because it generally has no warning signs or symptoms. Because of this, individuals who believe they can tell if their blood pressure is high by how they feel, are putting their life in danger.
When the force of the blood pushes against the wall of the artery, the measurement of the force against the artery wall is called blood pressure. If this continued force against the arteries is not detected in time and brought under control, the individual may suffer serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke or kidney disease - all of which may be fatal. Even blindness may be the result of uncontrolled high blood pressure. It is not the high blood pressure that can kill, or destroy the quality of life, it is the disease which develops as the result of uncontrolled hypertension.
1. The Blood Pressure Test Could Not Be Easier
You need to have a blood pressure test for hypertension which is very simple and convenient. You can find free blood pressure testing machines in grocery stores, pharmacies, and discount stores since they are routinely offered as a convenience for their customers. If unsure how to use them properly, ask at the service desk since there should be employees who are trained to help customers. Another option is to buy your own blood
pressure device which is what many people do for privacy and convenience. Your doctor or pharmacist can suggest a suitable product that will give you accurate blood pressure information. They should also demonstrate how to use the device correctly.
2. Tips For Increasing The Accuracy Of A Blood Pressure Test:
a. Don't smoke a cigarette or drink a cup of coffee before testing because this can cause your blood pressure to rise, especially within 30 minutes of your blood pressure test.
b. Anxiety about taking the test can increase blood pressure. Sit quietly for 5 minutes with your back against the back of the chair, feet flat on the floor (don't cross legs).
c. Table should be at heart level, rest your arm on the table.
d. It's easier if you wear a short sleeve shirt so that the proper area of your arm is clear for testing.
e. A full bladder can affect the measurement results, so use the restroom beforehand.
f. Take two readings at least two minutes apart, just like they do at the doctor's office and then average the readings by adding them together and dividing by two.
g. An electronic monitoring device is the simplest to use and gives the results in systolic and diastolic numbers.
3. Keeping Accurate Records Is Important:
Keep a blood pressure log book and record your numbers for your physician to see. By keeping track of the time of day, and the readings, your doctor may be able to identify a specific pattern to spikes in blood pressure. When the blood pressure is tested in your physician's office, be sure to ask for exact numbers instead of general comments like "It's normal" or "Your blood pressure is good" and be sure to record those numbers in your log book with date and time.
4. Understanding The Blood Pressure Information From The Numbers:
Most individuals are familiar with the mmHg associated with blood pressure numbers after a test, but are not familiar with what it means. The mmHg stands for millimeters of mercury and is used when testing blood pressure. Once the test is completed, the millimeters of mercury (mmHg) is then recorded as two important numbers, a top number and a bottom number. The systolic number is the top number and it represents the pressure of the blood against the artery wall as the heart is beating. The lower or "down" number is the diastolic pressure and it represents the pressure of the blood against the artery wall as the heart is resting between the beats.
For those of different age groups, the systolic and diastolic numbers are important for different reasons. As an example, those over the age of 50 should be concerned with the systolic or top number because it increases with age. Those under the age of 55 might be more concerned with the lower number, which is the diastolic number because it increases until around 55 years of age and then it usually declines.
The numbers are broken down into levels from normal to high:
* Normal is considered less than 120/80.
* Pre-hypertension is the range of 120/80-139/89.
* A high blood pressure ( medical term hypertension) diagnosis is 140/90 or higher.
The medical profession does not believe high blood pressure can be cured (only controlled) so once diagnosed, the diagnosis lasts a lifetime.
So, there are two choices to make: prevent the diagnosis if it is at the pre-hypertensive level or control it if the diagnosis has already been made. Either way, taking personal responsibility to make lifestyle changes can not only have a dramatic effect on the quality of your life - it may mean your life!
