Blood pressure measurement refers to
the measurement of the force that blood exerts on the walls of the
arteries while flowing through them. The heart pumps oxygenated blood
to the different body parts. In the process, i.e., throughout the
cycles of compression and relaxation, the heart exerts different
pressure measures on the artery walls (which carry oxygenated blood).
High Blood Pressure
Blood
pressure increases when you exert yourself too much, become stressed or
experience anxiety; this is very much normal. You can say that you have
high blood pressure only when your blood pressure reading is above the
normal BP (120/80 mm HG) and that when measured with your body at rest.
The blood pressure measurement is high when you have hypertension and this is caused when:
The small blood vessels get narrower
The walls of the larger arteries become rigid and lose their elasticity
Low Blood Pressure
Low
blood pressure or hypotension occurs when there is a decrease in your
blood volume or body fluids. You are in danger of having low blood
pressure when the constrictions of the arterioles are not enough. Low
blood pressure makes you feel dizzy.
Measuring Blood Pressure
Blood
pressure measurement is taken with the help of a monitor known as
sphygmomanometer. This pressure gauge is a digital box, which has a
cuff attached to a tube. The cuff is wrapped around the upper arm and
inflated; then it is allowed to deflate gradually. The sensor in the
cuff enables you to know your blood pressure. The doctor or the nurse
listens to the flow of your blood using a stethoscope and understands
what blood pressure you have – high or low.
The normal blood
pressure measurement will read 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm HG).
The figure that is on the top, in this case 120, denotes the systolic
blood pressure, the measurement of the maximum pressure in the
circulatory system. The lower figure 80 denotes the diastolic blood
pressure. It is the pressure between the heartbeats when the heart is
resting and measures the minimum pressure in your circulatory system.
In
the UK, high blood pressure measurement refers to an increased systolic
blood pressure of 140 or more and a diastolic blood pressure of 85 or
more. A diabetic person must ensure that his/her blood pressure
measures below 130/80. If you have high blood pressure or suffer from
diabetes, your doctor will insist on getting a regular blood pressure
measurement.