What do Blood Pressure Numbers Mean?

Blood pressure is a vital sign that measures the force of circulating blood throughout the body. It is recorded in two numbers: the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure. Understanding these numbers is essential for a better grasp of your body’s overall health.

What is Systolic Pressure?

Systolic pressure is the top number of a blood pressure reading and is a measure of the amount of pressure created in the arteries when the heart contracts and pumps out a full dose of blood. Typically, the systolic pressure should range between 90 to 120 mmHg (millimeters of mercury).

What is Diastolic Pressure?

Diastolic pressure is the bottom number of a blood pressure reading and is a measure of the amount of pressure created in the arteries when the heart relaxes after the contraction has completed. A healthy diastolic pressure should range between 65 to 130 mmHg.

What Should Your Blood Pressure Be?

It is important to note that individual pressures may vary depending on age and overall health. For example, adults aged 18 and younger with optimal health should have a systolic pressure of less than 120 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 mmHg. For adults aged 19 and older, the targets change to less than 140 mmHg for the systolic pressure and less than 90 mmHg for the diastolic pressure.

The optimal numbers for blood pressure are based on evidence from a healthy population over time. It is important to keep up with regular monitoring so that you can adjust your lifestyle to keep your numbers in check.

What Does High Blood Pressure Mean?

High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is defined as blood pressure that is consistently at or above 140/90 mmHg. High blood pressure is a serious concern, as it increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease. If your blood pressure is consistently above these levels, then it is important to have a discussion with your doctor to understand what can be done to lower it.

What Does Low Blood Pressure Mean?

Low blood pressure (also known as hypotension) is defined as blood pressure that is consistently below 90/60 mmHg. Low blood pressure is not necessarily a concerning concern, as long as it does not cause any symptoms such as light-headedness, nausea, fatigue, or confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms, then it is important to have a discussion with your doctor to better understand what is causing the low blood pressure and how it can be managed.

Conclusion

Blood pressure numbers can tell us a lot about our overall health. It is important to understand the significance of these numbers so that we can make informed lifestyle changes to ensure optimal health. Regular monitoring of blood pressure is essential for keeping track of any changes that occur over time. If you are concerned about your blood pressure, the best course of action is to speak with a doctor.