Learn to Find Your Ideal Blood Pressure

The term 'ideal blood pressure' is used to denote the normal blood pressure level. (A blood pressure reading that measure 120 over 80 depicts a normal blood pressure). It proves that a person has neither low blood pressure nor a high blood pressure.

Why Do You Need A Normal Blood Pressure?

Everyone wishes to have an ideal blood pressure or what is correctly referred to as normal blood pressure. You can say that you have high blood pressure or hypertension when both the BP readings, exceed the normal BP levels for a length of time. You must avoid a high blood pressure, as it makes you dangerously prone to heart attacks and strokes. Low blood pressure, on the contrary, gives you a dizzy feeling and drags the energy out of you.

To give the blood pressure measure, you need considering both the systolic and diastolic pressures. By systolic pressure, the medical world means the force in the arteries when the heart beats, whereas diastolic pressure determines the pressure in the arteries with the heart being at rest. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The normal or ideal blood pressure will have 120 as the systolic blood pressure and 80 as the diastolic blood pressure.

The normal blood pressure or the ideal blood pressure has to be within 120/80 mm Hg. According to medical experts, the ideal blood pressure should read as 119/79, as it is the healthiest blood pressure reading for an adult. All adults should strive to maintain their blood pressure at this level. Blood pressure measuring 120/80 to 129/84 is normal, while blood pressure in the range of 130/85 and 139/89 is high normal. If one's blood pressure reads 140/90 or even higher, then the person is suffering from high blood pressure.

Measuring Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is measured with the help of the Sphygmomanometer, a device designed for this purpose. The inflatable arm cuff is placed around your arm and the little air pump functions to tighten the cuff around your arm to a limit. Then the blood pressure measurement is taken.

You must follow some directions/restrictions before getting your blood pressure checked. You need to know the proper procedure of taking the blood pressure readings. Half an hour before taking the blood pressure measurement, refrain from smoking and even drinking coffee or alcohol. You must also urinate and relieve yourself, as a full bladder can affect the results of the measurement. For the accurate blood pressure measurement, rest for at least 5 minutes before taking the BP readings. You can say that you have ideal blood pressure when you take the measurement in the appropriate manner.