Before I tell you about possible treatments, it’s good to know what blood pressure actually is, what a healthy – thus normal – range should be, and how someone can measure this. Your blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against your artery walls as the heart pumps the blood. You’ve got special monitors to measure if you’ve got high,- low,- or healthy BP. You can buy one yourself or schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional. When you measure your blood pressure, you use a cuff around your upper arm that gradually tightens.
Blood Pressure Charts Explained
Once it is measured, it gives you two numbers, which is your BP. The first one is called, systolic blood pressure, which is caused by the heart contracting and pushing out blood. The second one is called, diastolic blood pressure, and is the pressure when the heart relaxes and fills with blood. The big question is; which number is too low, high, or natural?
- Low Blood Pressure (hypotension); your systolic blood pressure is lower than 90 and your diastolic blood pressure is lower than 60. For example 89/59
- Normal BP; your systolic blood pressure is lower than 120 and your diastolic blood pressure is lower than 80. For example 120/80
- Elevated BP; your systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 129 and your diastolic pressure is lower than 80/ For example 127/80
- High BP; your systolic blood pressure is 130 or higher and your diastolic pressure is 81 or higher.
Isolated Systolic Hypertension
These are the rough guidelines because whether you have too high or low BP can also vary from person to person, regardless of age. Often seniors suffer from so-called isolated systolic hypertension, meaning that the systolic blood pressure is 130 or higher and the diastolic is less than 80, for example; 135/79. Isolated systolic hypertension is because the major veins are getting older and stiffer. This kind is the most common form and can lead to several health problems, like shortness of breath & lightheadedness with no to light physical activity, and can make you fall. Check out treatments and whether you are predisposed on the next page.
