Understanding Blood Pressure: A Simple Guide

Blood pressure; a term we often hear during medical examinations, or conversations about health, but what does it mean? Understanding blood pressure is important because it plays a crucial role in our overall health and wellbeing.

Here’s a straightforward explanation to help make sense of it all.

Here at Your Driver Medical we want to help you stay healthy, not just test your health. Here is a useful guide to blood pressure- what it is, what it means for you and how to keep it healthy. Our doctors will always tell you your blood pressure and let you know if they think it needs attention.

You can book your Driver Medical for £50 here, our doctors will advise you on your blood pressure as part of our medical process.

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force that your blood exerts on the walls of your arteries as it circulates through your body. Think of it like the water pressure in a garden hose; too little pressure and the water trickles out, too much and the hose might burst. Similarly, maintaining the right blood pressure is essential for your body to function properly.

The Two Numbers

When you get your blood pressure measured, you often hear two numbers, such as 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). These numbers reflect the pressure within your arteries in two different phases of the heartbeat:

Systolic Pressure: This is the higher number and represents the pressure when your heart beats and pumps blood into the arteries.

Diastolic Pressure: This is the lower number and represents the pressure when your heart is at rest between beats.

For instance, in a reading of 120/80 mmHg, 120 is the systolic pressure, and 80 is the diastolic pressure.

What Is Normal Blood Pressure?

The NHS categorizes blood pressure readings as follows:

Normal: Less than 120/80 mmHg

Elevated: 120-129/less than 80 mmHg

Hypertension Stage  130-139/80-89 mmHg or higher

For more information from the NHS, you can visit their guide here 

Why Blood Pressure Matters

Maintaining a normal blood pressure is critical because high blood pressure (hypertension) can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Conversely, low blood pressure (hypotension) can cause dizziness, fainting, and increased risk of injury from falls.

Factors Affecting Blood Pressure

A variety of factors can impact your blood pressure:

Age: As you get older, your blood pressure can increase due to the stiffening of arteries.

Diet: Diets high in salt, saturated fats, and cholesterol can elevate blood pressure.

Physical Activity: Regular exercise helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

Weight: Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of hypertension.

Stress: Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure.

Genetics: Family history can also play a role in your blood pressure.

Tips to Maintain Healthy Blood Pressure

Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Reduce salt and saturated fat intake.

Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, such as brisk walking or swimming.

Maintain a Healthy Weight:Losing just a few pounds can make a significant difference in blood pressure.

Limit Alcohol and Avoid Smoking: Both can adversely affect your pressure levels.

Manage Stress: Consider relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.

Regular Check-ups: Keep track of your blood pressure you can pick up a monitor really cheaply

Conclusion

Understanding blood pressure and how it affects your health is important for everyone. By staying informed and making healthy lifestyle choices, you can maintain your blood pressure within the normal range and reduce your risk of related health issues. Regular check-ups and consultations with healthcare professionals can help you stay on top of your blood pressure and overall health.

So, next time you hear those two numbers, you’ll know exactly what they mean and why they matter!