First of all, Happy Heart Month!
My name is Waqas Khan
So today, the first thing I’d like you to know about blood pressure are the definitions.
These are based on the 2017 guidelines from American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. Normal blood pressure is a systolic number, the upper number, below 120 and diastolic, which is the lower number, below 80. An elevated blood pressure is when you have a systolic pressure above 120-130 with the diastolic pressure still below 80. Blood pressure that is considered hypertension looks at dividing the 2 stages, stage 1 is a systolic blood pressure between 130-139, and a diastolic pressure that is between 80-89. Stage 2 hypertension is a systolic blood pressure of 140 or a diastolic pressure of 90. There are further definitions that are based on whether you are having symptoms but these are a little more complicated. If you’re having chest pains or shortness of breath and your blood pressure extremely high, this is considered to be an emergency situation.
How and when you take the blood pressure can affect the reading. Take the blood pressure when you are well rested. You should not be exercising, consuming caffeine or running around for at least 30 minutes. Blood pressure should be taken in both arms for the very first time and then you are going to use the arm which has higher blood pressure in the future to compare from the previous reading. You also make sure that you empty your bladder before taking the blood pressure because the need to go to the bathroom can generally raise your pressure. You should also be well rested.
If you have high blood pressure with a systolic reading above 130 or diastolic number above 80, you should consider getting further evaluation by your doctor. If you have high pressure and you are having symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain or blurred vision, you should come to the emergency room because you made need immediate attention.
In summary, if your systolic blood pressure is about 130, or your diastolic pressure is above 80, you are considered to have high blood pressure or hypertension. In the past, a systolic pressure above 140 and diastolic number above 90 was considered to be high blood pressure but now the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have become more strict about the guidelines as they see more benefit in controlling the blood pressure by keeping the higher number below 130 and the lower number below 80. Check your blood pressure when you are well rested and have not been exercising or consuming caffeine for 30 minutes. If your blood pressure is high you should consider getting immediate medical attention. Thank you very much.
