Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the vessels. Blood pressure is determined by the heart’s output and resistance to blood flow in the vessels. If either of these factors changes and there are no compensating changes, blood pressure will change.Blood pressure is a good measure of the health of a person's heart and blood vessels. Higher than normal blood pressure is called hypertension.

About Blood Pressure

What is Normal Blood Pressure?

The optimal blood pressure reading for an adult is <120 (Systolic) and <80 (Diastolic). The normal blood pressure range for an adult is <130 (Systolic) and <85 (Diastolic). High normal is 130-139 (Systolic) and 85-89 (Diastolic).Hypertension is classified in stages. Stage 1 is mild with Systolic reading between 140-159 and Diastolic readings between 90-99. Stage 2 is moderate with Systolic readings between 160-179 and Diastolic readings between 100-109. Stage 3 is severe with Systolic readings ¬greater than 180 and Diastolic readings greater than 110.

Low blood pressure is called hypotension. Because of individual variations in normal pressure levels, however, what would be a low pressure for one person might be normal for someone else. For this reason, hypotension is best evaluated in terms of how well the body tissues are being supplied by blood. A person whose systematic blood pressure drops to below his or her normal range may experience fainting episodes because of inadequate blood flow to the brain. The sudden lowering of blood pressure to below a person’s normal level is one sign of shock; it may also occur in certain chronic diseases and in heart block.

Blood pressure that is higher than normal is called hypertension. Hypertension normally occurs temporarily as a result of excitement or exertion. However, it may persist in a number of conditions, including the following:

*Kidney disease and uremia
*Endocrine disorders, such as hyperthyroidism and acromegaly
*Arterial disease, including hardening of the arteries, which reduces vascular elasticity
*Tumors of the adrenal medulla with the release of excess epinephrine

Hypertension that has no apparent medical cause is called essential hypertension. Excess of an enzyme called rennin, produced in the kidney, appears to play a role in the severity of hypertension. Renin raises blood pressure by causing blood vessels to constrict and by promoting the kidney’s retention of sale and water.

Even though there is much individual variation in blood pressure, physicians have established guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. The first stage of hypertension begins are 140/90 mm Hg. Treatment at this point should be based on diet, exercise, and weight loss, if necessary. Drug therapy should be added to this regime for people with pressure readings above 159/99 mm Hg. It's important to get regular blood pressure readings. Taking blood pressure is usually the first step in any medical assessment.

Drugs used to treat hypertension include the following:

*Diuretics (which promote water loss)
*Drugs that limit production of rennin
*Drugs that relax blood vessels

Related Images

See all images »

Recent Blood Pressure Questions

How do you overdose on Prozac?

30 min ago - When a person takes too much Prozac, overdose symptoms may in...
What is a white pill with a v on one side and 3972 on the other?

46 min ago - Pill imprint 3972 V has been identified as Lisinopril 10 mg. ...
What causes a premature death?

1 hr 2 min ago - Obesity is one of the main causes of premature death. About 3...
What would cause?

1 hr 4 min ago - Increase or decrease in blood flow in an athlete who has ADD ...
Is coffee bad for children?

1 hr 8 min ago - Coffee can be bad since caffeine can cause kids to have jitte...
Is Monster Energy bad for a 13 year old's health?

1 hr 11 min ago - Energy drinks can raise heart rate and blood pressure while d...
Can you give blood if you smoke?

1 hr 14 min ago - You'll have a mini-physical exam, where your blood pressure, ...
How bad is 119 over 116 blood pressure?

5 hr 24 min ago - Normal blood pressure is Less than 120 over Less than 80. Num...
How bad is 174 over 91 blood pressure?

5 hr 25 min ago - A blood pressure reading of "174 over 91" means you have a sy...
How much weight will I lose if I only eat one meal a day for 3 days?

5 hr 32 min ago - The amount of weight you will lose by eating one meal a day d...
Why do people get dizzy?

7 hr 59 min ago - High blood pressure as well as low blood pressure can cause d...
What are the affects of taking one aderal pill?

8 hr 58 min ago - The side effects of taking only one Adderall pill are minimal...
What happens to your body after you quit smoking cigarettes?

9 hr 1 min ago - At 20 minutes after quitting: Blood pressure decreases, Pulse...
Is it dangerous for a pregnant woman to be bulimic?

9 hr 2 min ago - If a woman with active bulimia gets pregnant, these problems ...
What kind of pill is small round has 3571 on top and v on bottom nothing on other side?

9 hr 3 min ago - Pill imprint 3571V has been identified as Hydrochlorothiazide...
Does smiling make you live longer?

9 hr 3 min ago - Yes smiling can make you live longer by lowering your blood p...
How do sports keep you healthy?

9 hr 7 min ago - Playing sports can keep you healthier physically and mentally...
What could it do to you after you have had a concussion and you smoke it a lot?

9 hr 7 min ago - Smoking after getting a concussion does not seem to be a good...
What is a small round white pill with c 34 on it?

9 hr 8 min ago - A small white round pill with M on 1 side & C 34 on the other...
What does it mean to go into shock?

9 hr 14 min ago - When the cardiovascular system can't get enough blood to the ...