Blood pressure, a seemingly simple physiological indicator, is related to our life and health. It acts as a sensitive indicator of the state of our cardiovascular system. The level of blood pressure is directly related to the health of our heart, brain, kidneys and other important organs.
Blood pressure is determined by both the pumping force of the heart and the resistance of blood vessels. When the heart contracts, blood is pushed throughout the body to form systolic blood pressure, and when the heart is diastolic, the pressure of blood in the blood vessels forms diastolic blood pressure. The balance of these two values is the key to our health.
Blood pressure that is too high or too low can have adverse effects on the body. High blood pressure, i.e., systolic and diastolic blood pressure exceeding the normal range, is an important risk factor for a variety of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, kidney disease, etc.
Long-term high blood pressure can also lead to serious consequences such as arteriosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Hypotension, i.e., low systolic and diastolic blood pressure, can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, and even shock in severe cases.
Therefore, we need to keep an eye on our blood pressure status and have regular check-ups. In daily life, we should also pay attention to measures such as adjusting diet, increasing exercise, and maintaining mental health to prevent and control abnormal fluctuations in blood pressure. Only in this way can we maintain a healthy body and enjoy a good life.
01
What is the normal range for blood pressure?
The normal range of blood pressure is usually based on a combination of factors such as age, gender, and health status. In general, normal blood pressure for adults ranges from 90 to 139 mm Hg for systolic (high) and 60 to 89 mm Hg for diastolic (low). Within this range, fluctuations in blood pressure are normal physiological phenomena and do not cause significant health effects.
However, when blood pressure exceeds the normal range, it needs to be taken seriously. If your systolic or diastolic blood pressure is persistently higher than normal, you may be diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Hypertension is a common cardiovascular disease, and long-term hypertension will not only cause damage to the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular vessels, but also may cause a variety of complications, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Therefore, for the prevention and treatment of hypertension, it is important to know and grasp the normal range of blood pressure in time.
On the other hand, low blood pressure can also have adverse effects on your health. If systolic or diastolic blood pressure persistently falls below the normal range, hypotension may be diagnosed.
Low blood pressure can lead to dizziness, fatigue, chest tightness and other uncomfortable symptoms, and in severe cases, it can be life-threatening. Therefore, for the prevention and treatment of hypotension, it is also necessary to pay attention to the normal range of blood pressure.
02
When measuring blood pressure, do you measure your left arm or your right arm?
When measuring blood pressure, there is no fixed rule for choosing whether to measure the left arm or the right arm. However, in practice, most doctors and experts recommend giving preference to the right arm for measurement.
This is because, in human anatomy, blood pressure in the right arm is usually 5-10 mm Hg higher than in the left arm, due to the fact that the first branch of the aorta is usually located on the right side, resulting in a greater impact on blood pressure in the right arm.
Of course, this is not to say that the blood pressure in the left arm is not informative. In some cases, such as pathological conditions such as aortic stenosis or subclavian artery stenosis, blood pressure in the left arm may be higher than in the right arm. Therefore, when taking blood pressure for the first time, it is recommended to measure the blood pressure in both arms at the same time to understand the characteristics and differences of blood pressure in an individual.
03
Reminder: If you don't know 4 points of knowledge, it may be equivalent to a blank test
First of all, we must understand the normal range of blood pressure. Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers representing systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Knowing the normal range of these numbers is essential to tell if your blood pressure is at a healthy level. If the reading is outside the normal range, it may mean that there is a risk of high or low blood pressure and you need to consult your doctor promptly.
Secondly, we need to know the correct way to measure blood pressure. This includes choosing the right time to measure (usually more accurate in the morning), ensuring a quiet and comfortable measurement environment, and using the blood pressure monitor correctly. Incorrect measurements can lead to inaccurate readings that can mislead us about our own health.
Third, we need to understand the factors that affect blood pressure fluctuations. Blood pressure levels can be affected by a variety of factors, such as diet, exercise, mood, etc. Therefore, these interferences should be avoided as much as possible when taking blood pressure measurements to get more accurate readings.
Finally, we must understand the long-term nature of blood pressure monitoring. Blood pressure is a dynamically changing physiological parameter, and an occasional measurement does not provide a complete picture of our blood pressure status. Therefore, in order to get a more accurate picture of our blood pressure levels, we need to monitor our blood pressure regularly and continuously and pay attention to overall trends.
04
How much do you know about the diseases caused by high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, like an invisible killer, quietly erodes our health. It will not only lead to the weakening of the elasticity of the blood vessel wall, but also increase the burden on the heart, and in the long run, serious diseases such as heart disease and stroke will quietly come.
Imagine how terrible it would be when our heart weakened due to chronic stress, when our blood vessels burst due to fluctuations in blood pressure.
And the dangers of high blood pressure go far beyond that. It can also affect our kidney function, leading to kidney failure, damaging our eyes, triggering retinopathy and even blindness, and affecting our nervous system, causing us to feel dizzy, headaches, and even serious illnesses such as strokes.
However, unfortunately, many people are unaware of the dangers of high blood pressure, either ignoring their physical condition or not seeking medical attention in time for various reasons. This disregard for health is undoubtedly irresponsible for one's own life.
Therefore, we need to strengthen the publicity and education of hypertension, so that more people can understand its dangers and learn to prevent and control it. At the same time, we also want to remind those who already suffer from high blood pressure to take their medications on time, have regular check-ups, and protect their bodies.
05
How do people with high blood pressure eat to keep their blood pressure stable?
First of all, salt restriction is the core of dietary regulation for high blood pressure. Table salt is the main source of sodium, and excessive sodium intake can lead to water retention in the body and an increase in blood volume, which can raise blood pressure. Therefore, patients with high blood pressure should minimize the use of table salt and avoid the intake of preserved foods and high-salt foods.
Moderately increasing foods rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium and other trace elements, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, etc., can help balance the ratio of sodium and potassium in the body and maintain stable blood pressure.
Secondly, patients with hypertension should pay attention to a balanced and varied diet. Moderate intake of high-quality protein, such as lean meat, fish, legumes, etc., to meet the body's nutritional needs.
At the same time, increasing the intake of dietary fiber, such as whole grains, beans, vegetables, fruits, etc., can help promote intestinal peristalsis, reduce constipation, and lower blood pressure.
In addition, people with high blood pressure should also limit their fat and cholesterol intake. High-fat, high-cholesterol foods can easily lead to atherosclerosis, which can aggravate high blood pressure. Therefore, patients should avoid eating high-fat, high-cholesterol foods such as animal offal, fatty meat, and fried foods.
Finally, patients with high blood pressure should also pay attention to drinking water in moderation in their diet. Adequate water intake helps to maintain normal blood circulation and reduces blood viscosity, which is beneficial to blood pressure control. However, it is also important to avoid drinking too much water, which can cause edema and increased burden on the heart.