Tag: systolic blood pressure definition

Low vs High Blood Pressure: What’s Your Blood Pressure Category?

Man monitoring his blood pressure.

May is National Blood Pressure Month. Are you finding yourself totally unaware of your own blood pressure status? If so, you’re in the right place. We’re here to tell you why you should be paying attention to what your blood pressure is and how to check on it. 

If you happen to have a blood pressure status that puts you at risk for some gruesome health conditions, we’ll show you how to forge your way back to normal blood pressure levels. Let’s start this journey of self-health discovery by discussing the differences between low vs high blood pressure.

How To Tell the Difference Between High and Low Blood Pressure

There’s no shame in admitting you don’t know what blood pressure is. So for those of us who didn’t study cardiology, blood pressure is the force that blood applies to the walls of your arteries as it rushes through your body. And what are arteries again? They are the blood vessels that transport oxygenated blood from your heart to the rest of your cells. 

When you have high blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, this force is excessively high. Hypertension can lead to some brutal health issues. Alternatively, low blood pressure occurs when the force of your blood is too low. Low blood pressure doesn’t cause many health issues but can have some pesky side effects that we’ll discuss later on.

So how can you determine whether you have low, high, or normal blood pressure? By examining your systolic and diastolic numbers. 

Deciphering Systolic and Diastolic Numbers

When you get a blood pressure test, two numbers will show up. The systolic number is the higher one. It correlates with the pressure that’s applied to your arteries when your heart beats. The diastolic number is the lower value. It measures the pressure that’s applied to your arteries when your heart is resting between beats. Low blood pressures have a systolic number that’s 90 or below whereas a higher blood pressure would be 120 or higher. Lower blood pressure on the diastolic scale would be 60 or less and a higher one would be 80 or higher. 

Is this number system a little tedious? Perhaps. But since your heart is literally the most important organ in your body, making sure that it’s beating at a normal pace can be truly life-saving. Especially if you have abnormally high blood pressure. As you can see in the chart below, there are different ranges of numbers within the high blood pressure category. As the numbers get higher, so does your risk of having major health issues. So if you have a systolic number over 180 and a diastolic number over 120, get your doctor on the phone stat!

Where To Get a Blood Pressure Test

Clearly, knowing your blood pressure status is of utmost importance. After all, it can help determine if you are at risk for some supremely unfun diseases. But first, you need to know how to get one:

  1. Doctor’s Office: One of the most reliable places to get your blood pressure tested is at your primary care clinic. It’s such a basic procedure your doctor could probably do it in their sleep—but don’t worry, they won’t. They’ll simply wrap a cuff around your arm, listen to your heartbeat with a stethoscope, and inflate and deflate the cuff to measure your blood pressure. 
  2. Pharmacy: You’ve probably seen a blood pressure device at a drugstore before. It’s a chair with a cuff attached to it that shoppers can use to measure their blood pressure while they look for shampoo and bandaids. Though quick and convenient, don’t take its outcome as law. If your blood pressure results come as a major surprise to you, it’s best to get a second reading from your doctor.
  3. Home Blood Pressure Monitor: The most convenient option of all is home blood pressure tests. These allow you to monitor your blood pressure from the comfort of your humble abode. When using these, be sure to follow the instructions closely and get a second opinion if needed.

Low vs High Blood Pressure: Understanding the Causes

It’s time to focus on taking preventative steps in caring for your blood pressure health. This starts by knowing what your pressure type really means and what it can indicate about your health. Let’s begin by learning about the less menacing of the two: low blood pressure. 

Living with Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure, or hypotension, can be caused by dehydration, blood loss, heart problems, endocrine disorders, alcohol use, or certain medications such as:

  • Anti-anxiety medicines
  • Antidepressants
  • Diuretics
  • Painkillers

Do you have low blood pressure and are currently taking any of these medications? Then consult with your doctor to see if you need to part ways with your prescription.

Though having lower blood pressure than the norm may seem like a downer, it’s not really a health risk in and of itself. The problem lies more in the symptoms it causes. This can include lightheadedness, blurry vision, fainting, shallow breathing, dizziness, lack of concentration, and confusion—probably not anything you want to deal with on a regular basis! If you are experiencing these symptoms fairly often, here are some things you can do to help increase your blood pressure:

  • Increase Sodium Intake: Unlike many heart-related health issues, consuming more salt can actually be good for those with low blood pressure. 
  • Wear Compression Stockings: Low blood pressure can stem from circulation and blood flow issues. This can be solved by wearing compression stockings, which prevent blood from pooling in your legs and help raise blood pressure. 
  • Get Regular Exercise: Working out also helps with circulation and blood volume.
  • Avoid Hot Water: Hot showers and baths lead to blood vessel dilation, which can cause blood pressure to drop. So opt for a cooler temperature while bathing.

Monitoring Your High Blood Pressure

Hypertension is frankly a bigger issue than low blood pressure. So if this is what your blood pressure test reads, it’s time to examine the cause. It could be any of the following:

  • Age: The older you get, the more likely your blood pressure is to increase.
  • Family history: If members of your family have had hypertension, you’re consequently more likely to develop it. 
  • Obesity: People who are overweight are much more likely to have high blood pressure. And as obesity tends to be linked to inactivity, those who don’t get enough exercise increase their chances of hypertension.
  • Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption: Smoking and drinking are both contributors to increased blood pressure. 
  • Too much Salt: Unlike with low blood pressure, salt can be a bad thing for those with hypertension as excess amounts can increase your chances of developing it. Try flavoring your food with alternative seasonings or make up for the salt with extra pepper!
  • Stress and Sleep Apnea: Are you a high-stress, low-sleep individual? Managing stress and getting quality sleep is important to avoid a blood pressure spike.
  • Chronic Health Conditions: Kidney disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes are all conditions that can cause hypertension.

Based on what we mentioned above, it should be no surprise that quitting alcohol and tobacco, losing weight, getting more exercise, and cutting down on salt can help lower blood pressure. But diet plays a large part too. Here are some nutrients you should get better acquainted with:

  • High-potassium foods like avocados, spinach, sweet potatoes, and bananas.
  • Whole-wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa, and other whole grains.
  • Lean proteins such as fish, legumes, and skinless chicken.
  • Blood pressure-lowering drinks like green tea and hibiscus tea.
  • Dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa to substitute for milk chocolate.

There is plenty of other blood pressure-lowering diet changes you can make to improve your overall health. Unfortunately, this includes limiting the intake of sugary, caffeinated, fried, processed, and generally fatty foods and beverages. This doesn’t mean you’ll never have a donut or milkshake again. It’ll just be a more occasional, and thus a more appreciated treat. 

Low or High, Kiss Your Irregular Blood Pressure Goodbye

Don’t spend too much time worrying about your low or high blood pressure. After all, stress is one of the main causes. You should instead focus on doing all you can to bring your blood pressure to a normal level. This means monitoring your daily habits, adjusting your diet, and putting in more time at the gym—all things that will make you feel good anyway!Still don’t know what your blood pressure level is? Make time with your primary care doctor and find out ASAP to ensure a healthy life!

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