How is blood pressure measured? And what does systolic and diastolic pressure mean? Cardiologist Associate Professor Calvin Chin from the National Heart Centre Singapore explains. Show
What is Blood Pressure?Blood pressure refers to the force of the body’s blood pushing against the inner walls of the blood vessels, especially the arteries. Each time the heart contracts, it pumps blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure doesn’t stay constant throughout the day. It is lowest when you’re sleeping, and rises when you get up and start moving about. It can also go up when you are excited, nervous or physically active. What is Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure?Systolic pressure refers to the blood pressure in the arteries that results when your heart contracts or beats, pushing blood out. When your heart relaxes between beats, blood pressure in the arteries falls. This is the diastolic pressure. Diastolic blood pressure can increase with age as a result of stiffening arteries. Blood Pressure Readings: What's Normal and When is it High Blood Pressure?Blood pressure (BP) readings are expressed as a ratio of the systolic pressure (the first number or numerator), over the diastolic pressure (the second number or denominator). A blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg (millimetres of mercury) is expressed verbally as 120 over 80. A healthy blood pressure reading should be lower than 120/80 mmHg. Normal blood pressure is less than 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic (see blood pressure chart below), and may vary from 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg in a healthy young woman. A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher indicates high blood pressure.
Notes: 1. When systolic and diastolic blood pressures fall into different categories, the higher category should be used to classify blood pressure level. For example, 160/80 mmHg would be stage 2 hypertension (high blood pressure). 2. *Isolated systolic hypertension is graded according to the same level of systolic BP. Measuring Blood Pressure at HomeYou can measure your own blood pressure at home with a digital blood pressure device that can be purchased at most pharmacies. Read the instructions carefully. You may wish to calibrate your reading with your family doctor. The right time to take the measurement is when you are at rest. Some tips that will help ensure the accuracy of your blood pressure reading include: • Sitting in a comfortable position • Placing your left arm, raised to the level of your heart, on a table or desk, and sit still • Wrapping the cuff of the monitor
smoothly and snugly around the upper part of your bare arm Fun Facts About Blood Pressure ReadingsResearchers from the Center for Health Research and Rural Advocacy at Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania have found that time of day and time of year can influence blood pressure readings by as much as 40 percent. In addition, blood pressure also fluctuates with physical activity and emotional state. It may help make your results more comparable if you measure your blood pressure at the same time every day, under resting conditions and on more than one occasion. Find out how to understand blood pressure readings and use our blood pressure chart to see how healthy your blood pressure is.What does a blood pressure reading look like?When you have your blood pressure measured, you will be given two numbers, a top number and a bottom number.
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). If the first number is 120 and the second number is 80, this would be written as 120/80mmHg, and you’d call it ‘120 over 80’. This video explains more about systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The blood pressure chartOnce you know your numbers, you can use the blood pressure chart to see what they mean and if your blood pressure is in the healthy range. The chart is suitable for adults of any age, as the cut-off point for diagnosing high blood pressure doesn’t change with age.  How to use the blood pressure chart Simply find your top number (systolic) on the left side of the chart and your bottom number (diastolic) on the bottom. Where the two lines meet is your blood pressure. Download the chart. Blood pressure chart for adults - PDF [PDF 121KB] What do the readings mean?As a general guide: • 140/90mmHg or over – you may have high blood pressure • 120/80mmHg up to 140/90mmHg – pre-high blood pressure • 90/60mmHg up to 120/80mmHg – ideal blood pressure • 90/60mmHg or lower – you may have low blood pressure The video below explains how your blood pressure numbers are linked to the risk of stroke and other disease.
Diagnosing high or low blood pressureOnly one of your numbers needs to be higher than it should be to be diagnosed with high blood pressure, and only one needs to be lower than it should be to be diagnosed with low blood pressure. So if your top number is over 140 or the bottom number is over 90, you may be diagnosed with high blood pressure, regardless of the other number. If your top number is under 90 or your bottom number is under 60, you may be diagnosed with low blood pressure. Use the chart to see where your numbers sit. If your top number (systolic pressure) is consistently higher than 140mmHg, but the bottom number is healthy - this is known as Isolated Systolic Hypertension. If the bottom number (diastolic pressure) is consistently higher than 90mmHg but the top number is healthy - this is known as Isolated Diastolic Hypertension. Making sure your readings aren’t a one-off A single high reading doesn’t necessarily mean you have high blood pressure, as many things can affect your blood pressure throughout the day, such as the temperature, when you last ate, and if you’re feeling stressed. Your doctor or nurse will probably want to measure your blood pressure a number of times over a few weeks to make sure the reading wasn’t just a one off and that your blood pressure stays high over time. Read about how high blood pressure is diagnosed, getting a blood pressure check, the further tests you might have if you have a high blood pressure reading, and what it means if you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure. When should you worry about the bottom number of blood pressure?Over time, isolated diastolic hypotension can cause heart failure. In fact, it may be one of the most common causes of heart failure. Pay attention to your diastolic number when you have your blood pressure checked. If your lower number is 60 or below, ask a healthcare professional about it.
What causes the bottom number of blood pressure high?Diastolic pressure is the bottom number of a blood pressure reading. IDH occurs if someone has elevated diastolic blood pressure, increasing a person's risk of heart disease and stroke. Smoking, consuming alcohol, obesity, and high blood fat may lead to IDH.
Which BP number is more important top or bottom?Q. When I am monitoring my blood pressure, which number is most important — top, bottom, or both? A. While both numbers in a blood pressure reading are essential for diagnosing and treating high blood pressure, doctors primarily focus on the top number, also known as systolic pressure.
How do you lower the bottom number of your blood pressure?Dietary changes. Limit alcohol consumption. Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure to an unhealthy level. ... . Limit caffeine consumption. ... . Reduce sodium intake. ... . Increase potassium intake. ... . Limit saturated and trans fats. ... . Avoid sugar. ... . Eat heart-healthy foods. ... . Add probiotics.. |
What does the bottom number on blood pressure mean
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