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Understanding Your Blood Pressure

Understanding Your Blood Pressure

, by Joris Lans, 2 min reading time

Important health measurement 

According to Nizagara measuring your blood pressure is of the utmost importance. A lot of people have no clue about the height of their resting blood pressure. A high blood pressure, also called 'hypertension' is one of the most common chronic diseases in our society. A lot of people are unaware that their blood pressure is too high. Them finding out eventually is usually because they've had a heart attack or stroke.

Blood pressure measuring

The blood pressure measuring consists of two measurements. The systolic and diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure is the pressure that arises in the artery walls and artery vessels when the heart muscle contracts. The diastolic pressure is the pressure that arises in the artery when the heart is resting in between beats.

The blood pressure can change from minute to minutes because of changes in physical exercise, body posture, sleep rhythm, level of stress and even eating and drinking. The blood pressure mustn't exceed 120/80 mm Hg for grown-ups twenty years of age and older. Approximately 1 in 4 adults in Great Britain have too high a blood pressure. The blood pressure is measured in millimeters mercury (mm Hg).



Too high a blood pressure?

When your blood pressure exceeds normal standards, your physician can take several measurements or have you measure your blood pressure at home before he/she will diagnose you with high blood pressure. A high blood pressure once or twice doesn't necessarily mean you have too high a blood pressure and doesn't have to raise red flags. Is your blood pressure too high at several measurements and not lowering down (a systolic pressure of 140 and a diastolic pressure over 90), your physician is likely to start treatment. This treatment usually means a change in your lifestyle and prescribed medication.

If during measuring the systolic pressure is over 180 and or the diastolic pressure exceeds 110 wait a couple of minutes and take the measurement again. If the blood pressure is the same as before or even higher contact your physician immediately.

A lot of attention is given to the systolic pressure because this is risk factor to cardiovascular disease with people over fifty. With most people the systolic pressure rises slowly with age as a result of a growing stiffness in the large arteries.

How to measure your blood pressure?

To measure your own blood pressure we advise you to use an electronic blood pressure monitor. These are very easy to use and more accurate than manual systems. You best take the measurement early morning or in the evening. We recommend you don't eat or exercise on hour in advance of measurement. Take a comfy chair and place your forearm on a table or desktop. Place your forearm so that your elbow is about the same height as your chest or a little lower. Stay seated for three to five minutes before you start measuring your blood pressure. This will help you to relax and not raise your blood pressure so that the measurement is accurate.



  1. http://iliannloeb.com/nizagara/
  2. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-combating-high-blood-pressure/health-matters-combating-high-blood-pressure

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