Learn what your Fitness Blood Pressure should be

Normal blood pressure, which reads 120/80 mm HG (where 120 is the Systolic pressure measure and 80 the Diastolic pressure measure), is referred to as fitness blood pressure. One needs to follow a healthy life-style in order to maintain the fitness blood pressure. Of course, one needs to keep a blood pressure monitor handy at home and go for regular check-ups in order to keep the blood pressure level in check.

The Need For Fitness Blood Pressure

The normal reading is 120/80, but if both the readings show an abnormal rise (suppose 140/100 mm HG), then it is considered as High Blood Pressure (HBP) and calls for immediate doctor's attention. Actually, HBP or hypertension can be fatal for your health. Since the symptoms for HBP are not that pronounced, you have to take the reading at regular intervals to ensure that you are having fitness blood pressure.

Again, when the two pressure readings dip below the normal BP levels, say it lowers to 80/60 mmHG, then you are said to be suffering from Low Blood Pressure. In such a case, the condition can also be too serious and you need doctor's attention to bring the reading to the fitness blood pressure level.

Know How To Take Blood Pressure Reading

There are generally two types of devices for measuring the blood pressure levels. One is the automatic and the other is the manual. The automatic device is very easy to handle. The device consists of an arm cuff (which you have to wrap round your upper arm) and a monitor. The cuff of the automatic machine inflates and deflates on its own and the monitor takes the BP readings.

The manual pressure-measuring device, known as Sphygmomanometer, has a rubber bulb attached to the arm cuff as well as a meter gauge. First, the cuff is wrapped around the upper arm and inflated by squeezing the rubber bulb. As the cuff tightens its grip, blood flow within the arteries is momentarily stopped. The one checking BP then firmly places a stethoscope near that region to feel the pulse. As soon as the cuff grip goes a bit loose, blood enters into the arteries with great force. The BP reading that the meter gauge shows at this point of time is taken as the Systolic pressure reading. The reading at the point of time when the whooshing sound is last heard is read as the Diastolic pressure.

Keeping a watch on your blood pressure levels is essential as it helps you avert health problems and prevents fatal consequences. Once you are aware of any abnormalities in your BP levels, you can go for a healthy lifestyle – engage in regular exercises, follow a proper diet chart, stop the use of nicotine or caffeine and/or take few helpful medicines – in order to bring it to the fitness blood pressure level.