Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force your heart exerts to pump blood through your arteries. It can be influenced by physical and psychological factors. Stress is often a major cause of high blood pressure. A lack of exercise and a salty, high fat, high cholesterol diet can also be contributing factors. It's often called "the silent killer" because there are usually no symptoms.

The top number in a blood pressure reading, as measured by a monitor, is the systolic number. It shows the pressure of blood through the arteries while the heart is pumping. The bottom number is the diastolic reading, an indication of the pressure when your heart rests between beats.

Blood pressure is measured in units of millimeters (mm) of Mercury (Hg).

Normal blood pressure is 120 over 80 or less, or expressed in ratio form, 120/80 mm Hg. A blood pressure reading of 120/80 or lower is considered normal. Systolic readings in the range of 140 and over indicate high blood pressure or hypertension, as does a diastolic reading ranging from 90 to 99. "High normal" is on the borderline, in the 120 to 139 systolic range or 80 to 89 in diastolic readings.

Rating	Systolic	Diastolic
Normal	120 or below	80 or below
High normal	120 to 139	80 to 89
High	140 or over	90 or over

Blood pressure levels vary according to the time of day, mood, whether you have exercised, orconsumed certain foods or beverages (caffeine can raise blood pressure). Anxiety is another potential influence, known as "white-coat syndrome" for an increase in blood pressure readings taken at doctor's offices.

High Blood Pressure Treatment

Medications prescribed to lower high blood pressure are diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE), and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB). Lifestyle changes include exercise, cutting back on salt and alcohol, eating a more healthful diet (a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet rich in fruits and vegetables, such as DASH or vegetarian diets), and stress-management, which can take the form of yoga, relaxation, or breathing exercises.

risk factors:

• stroke
  
• heart disease
  
• heart failure
  
• kidney failure
  

For more information, please read our collection of articles and reviews of blood pressure monitors.

References

The American Heart Association (http://www.americanheart.org).

"Blood-Pressure Monitors." Consumer Reports. June 2003. p. 22-24.

Harrison, Dave. "Pressure Check." The Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ont.: Mar 13, 2004. pg. A.14.