Maintaining healthy blood pressure is vital for overall well-being. If your blood pressure falls within the normal range, it’s essential to continue heart-healthy habits, including a balanced diet and regular exercise.
For those with elevated blood pressure, collaborating with your healthcare professional is crucial to manage the condition effectively.
In hypertension Stage 1, lifestyle adjustments are typically recommended by healthcare professionals. Medication might be considered based on individual risk factors for heart disease or stroke. Medication is recommended if you have pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease.
For hypertension Stage 2, healthcare professionals generally prescribe blood pressure medication alongside lifestyle modifications.
A hypertensive crisis requires immediate medical attention.
If you get an unusually high reading, here’s what to do:
- Wait for five minutes after your initial reading.
- Measure your blood pressure again.
If subsequent readings remain abnormally high, promptly contact your healthcare professional.
Seek emergency medical help by calling 911 if your blood pressure exceeds 180/120 mmHg and you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Back pain
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Vision changes
- Difficulty speaking
Decoding Your Blood Pressure Numbers: Understanding mmHg
Blood pressure readings are presented as two numbers, such as 120/80 mmHg. The “mmHg” you see after these numbers stands for millimeters of mercury. This unit of measurement, millimeters of mercury, might seem unusual, but it has historical roots in the way blood pressure was first measured using mercury manometers. Even today, with digital devices, mmHg remains the standard unit reported worldwide.
So, what do the two numbers and “mmHg” actually represent?
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Systolic blood pressure: This is the top number in a blood pressure reading. It indicates the pressure exerted by your blood against your artery walls when your heart contracts or beats. Think of “systolic” as representing the pressure during the “squeeze” of your heart.
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Diastolic blood pressure: This is the bottom number. It measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart muscle relaxes between beats. “Diastolic” reflects the pressure during the heart’s “resting” phase.
Both systolic and diastolic readings are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Therefore, when you see a blood pressure reading like 120/80 mmHg, it means your systolic pressure is 120 millimeters of mercury and your diastolic pressure is 80 millimeters of mercury.
Which Blood Pressure Number Carries More Weight?
Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings are important in diagnosing high blood pressure (hypertension). However, systolic blood pressure becomes a more significant indicator of heart disease risk, especially for individuals over the age of 50.
The reason systolic blood pressure becomes increasingly important with age is due to several age-related changes in the cardiovascular system:
- Arterial Stiffening: As we age, large arteries tend to become stiffer and less flexible. This stiffness leads to an increase in systolic pressure.
- Plaque Accumulation: Over time, plaque buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis) becomes more common. This narrowing of the arteries also contributes to higher systolic blood pressure.
- Increased Prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases: Older individuals have a higher incidence of heart and blood vessel diseases, which are often linked to elevated systolic blood pressure.
To gain a deeper understanding of hypertension and its management, you can explore further resources on high blood pressure. Regular monitoring of your blood pressure and understanding what your readings mean, including the crucial “mmHg” unit, are key steps in maintaining your heart health.
