Blood Pressure is a pressure of blood against the walls of a blood vessel or heart chamber. The measurement of the pressure or force inside the blood vessels (arteries) with each beat of the heart. Blood pressure is written as two numbers; the first number, the systolic pressure, is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and fills the arteries with blood. People with diabetes should aim for a blood pressure of 130 / 80 or lower. High blood pressure (hypertension) can cause health problems such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney problems. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg. If blood pressure is above 140/90 mm Hg,it is considered to be a high blood pressure.
Blood pressure is measured with a monitor called a sphygmomanometer. This is a digital box attached to a tube with a cuff on the end. The cuff is placed around the upper arm and inflated to a certain level, then deflated slowly. A sensor in the cuff provides information about the blood pressure or a doctor or nurse will listen to the blood flow using a stethoscope.
High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. Some people may not find out they have it until they have trouble with their heart, brain, or kidneys. Nearly 1 in 3 American adults has high blood pressure. Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. The good news is that it can be treated and controlled.
Symptoms of Blood Pressure
The symptoms of high blood pressure are hardly traceable. It is very difficult to identify this disease physically as such. But still, some of the general symptoms noticed in most of the patients are:
1) nose bleeding
2) bouts of headache
3) dizziness and fatigue
If high blood pressure is due to phechromocytoma which is a tumor of the adrenal gland, the symptoms may include unstable or rapid heart beats, perspiration, anxiety, headache and paleness.
Low blood pressure (hypotension) is pressure that is so low that it causes symptoms or signs due to the low flow of blood through the arteries and veins. When the flow of blood is too low to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidney, the organs do not function normally and may be permanently damaged.
Slightly raised blood pressure may not need to be treated so aggressively, but regular monitoring is important. If you have very severe high blood pressure, you may need to go to hospital for treatment. But it's much more likely that you will be cared for by your GP and/or a nurse. Blood pressure changes during the day. It is lowest as you sleep and rises when you get up. It also can rise when you are excited, nervous, or active.
According to research studies, the risk of dying of a heart attack is directly linked to blood pressure, especially systolic hypertension. The higher your blood pressure, the higher your risk, even with blood pressure in the normal range.
