Blood pressure measures the pressure of circulating blood against blood vessels. A health professional uses it as one of the vital signs to assess your overall health. Not only that, there are devices on the market that allow you to take your own as often as you like.
You probably know from visiting your healthcare professional or when you take your blood pressure that there are two numbers, but do you know what those numbers mean?
Thankfully, there is a simple answer. Typically, blood pressure readings look like a fraction, for example, 120/80, or they are spoken as a number over a number, like 120 over 80. That said, the first (or top) is the systolic pressure. The second (or bottom) is the diastolic pressure.
The systolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. The diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries between beats or when the heart is relaxing. Both numbers are important to help identify the state of a heart’s health.
What is a Normal Blood Pressure?
Although various guidelines exist worldwide, most have definitions for different ranges and categories. For example, here are the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines:
Blood Pressure Categories
Normal – This is considered within the normal range. People in this range should continue to follow healthy habits such as a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Elevated – People in this category are likely to develop high blood pressure unless they take steps to control the condition.
Hypertension Stage 1 – Doctors are likely to prescribe lifestyle changes and may add medication based on your risk of cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), such as heart attack or stroke.
Hypertension Stage 2 – Doctors will likely prescribe a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.
Hypertensive Crisis – This stage requires immediate medical attention, and you should contact your doctor. You could be experiencing a medical event, and there may be signs of possible organ damage.
Regularly Monitoring your Blood Pressure
Regularly checking your blood pressure is essential to watch for any changes over time. Tracking your blood pressure with a monitor and app can give you a birdseye view of all your readings. Not only will you see your progress, but you may also see early indicators of trouble, which will let you make adjustments sooner than later and nudge yourself in the right direction. As a result, tracking yourself can help you manage your goals and maintain your quality of life. However, if you have any concerns or questions, you should discuss them with your doctor.
FitTrend’s mission is to help you along your self-improvement journey, promote an active lifestyle, and help you achieve your goals. Our journal can help you track your blood pressure automatically when you connect your Withings blood pressure device to your account. Create your account today and start using FitTrend for free!
Disclaimer: No content on this site should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
