Blood Pressure

There are no hard and fast figures which represent a normal blood pressure. And very often doctors and other experts cannot even decide between them what an ideal blood pressure range is for an adult.

However it is usually agreed that somewhere between 110/70 and 125/80 is considered to be an average blood pressure for a grown person, though someone with naturally low blood pressure may be closer to a range of 100/60

A blood pressure of 140/90 is considered to be high, though as a person gets older, this falls into the more normal range for people.

Blood doesn’t circulate in an even stream around the body, but travels in a constant series of spurts. Therefore the pressure peaks in the blood vessels just after a heart beat and then ebbs until the next one. This is a continuous process.

The two blood pressure figures represent the pressures when the forces are at their peak and at their lowest ebb. The stronger the arteries are, the more they resist the force of the blood and the lower the blood pressure.

As a person gets older, and the elasticity of their arteries weakens, the figures tend to rise. However the lower figure should still be under 90 until that person at least reaches their sixties.

Many studies looking at blood pressure in both black and white people have found there is a higher prevalence of hypertension (High blood pressure) in black people than there is in white. This has led to further research in determining whether this is racially determined or just based on socioeconomic and dietary factors.

Some people suffering high blood pressure may find they just can’t pinpoint a cause for their problem. They may be fit, have a very healthy lifestyle yet their blood pressure remains consistently high for no apparent reason. This is called Primary or essential high blood pressure. However if the raised blood pressure is due to an underlying medical problem, it is known as Secondary High Blood Pressure.

Nearly one in four people in the Western world have high blood pressure. Many people don’t appreciate it is a dangerous condition that can lead to a heart attack kidney failure or stroke if it is left untreated. Yet there are thousands of people unaware they have high blood pressure who are walking around with a lethal time bomb ticking away inside them.

Blood Pressure and Anxiety

There are many variables to consider when assessing blood pressure in people from moment to moment and these can include

• Emotion
• Exercise
• Respiration
• Heavy meal
• Smoking
• Alcohol intake
• Temperature
• Pain
• Bladder problems
• Circadian rhythms
• Age
• Gender
• Race

When having their blood pressure taken, the person should be relaxed and if possible sat in a quiet room with the temperature set at a comfortable degree. If possible the person should have had a period of relaxation before their blood pressure is taken. If these optimum conditions cannot be maintained, it should be realised if the blood pressure is raised that the conditions in which it was taken were not ideal.

Anxiety can raise the blood pressure by as much as 30mm Hg. The fight or flight automatic response to danger is manifested in a raised blood pressure, so if the person is anxious etc, it will then be reflected in their blood pressure being raised.

Lots of reassurance for the individual having their blood pressure checked is often needed, and the person checking their blood pressure should ensure they give that individual the assurance they need that they are very capable.

Once the person becomes accustomed to their surroundings, the person checking their blood pressure and their surroundings, then their blood pressure should subside to a more normal limit. It has been noted that a person’s blood pressure is always higher when measured by a doctor and to a lesser degree by nurses. This is known as “white coat syndrome”

When checking someone’s blood pressure, it is always wise to monitor their respirations, and pulse rate. If their respirations or pulse rate are above a “normal” rate for that person, then they should be left to rest and their resting pulse rate rechecked again about fifteen minutes later. If it is within normal limits then the blood pressure can be taken.

Many people are anxious to learn more about high blood pressure, and if full explanations are given then this often helps to alleviate their anxiety over their medical problem.

Low Blood Pressure: Cause, Symptoms and Treatment

Low blood pressure is a condition where a person's blood pressure is much lower than usual. This can cause symptoms such as dizziness lightheadedness or even collapse. When the blood pressure is too low, this means there is not enough blood flow to the heart, brain, and other vital organs of the body.

It’s actually quite difficult to judge a “normal” blood pressure, because something that is normal for one person may well be “abnormal” for another. Therefore it is important that if there is a suspicion someone’s blood pressure may be causing them a problem it is investigated very carefully as even small changes in their blood pressure may cause them adverse medical problems

A classic text book blood pressure reading is normally about 120/80 mmHg. If you repeatedly feel faint and light headed during the day, it’s probably a good idea to check with your doctor as to whether you are suffering with low blood pressure or not.

For some people, low blood pressure can leave them feeling light headed, sluggish or headachy. Yet other people can walk around with a blood pressure so low they should be flat out, however they don’t experience any symptoms whatsoever. They may only discover they have a low blood pressure when their blood pressure is checked for another reason.

You should also see your doctor if you lose consciousness when you stand, or if you feel repeatedly weak, light headed or constantly tired. Low blood pressure can be a sign in younger people of chronic fatigue syndrome. In older people it can be an indication of serious problems such as heart disease.

Women in their 40’s or younger, can find their blood pressure may drop below 90/60 mmHg during pregnancy, crash dieting or even during the hot weather. So it’s important that if they know they are prone to low blood pressure, they have it checked on a regular basis.

If a person is taking high blood pressure medication, it can sometimes cause the blood pressure to drop rapidly which causes the same type of problems. Therefore those taking this type of medication should choose the time of day they take their medication very carefully to ensure the effects are kept to a minimum.

High Blood Pressure and Pre-eclampsia in Pregnancy

High blood pressure can be serious as it can cause adverse affects to most of the organs in the body if left untreated.

Even if you’ve never been told you have high blood pressure, it’s always a good idea to have it checked at least once a year. Early detection of high blood pressure and its subsequent control is the key to preventing damage and untoward effects on organs such as the heart and kidneys. The kidneys play an important part in the control of blood pressure regulation.

If you are considering becoming pregnant it is also a good idea to have your blood pressure checked. It gives a good baseline to work with when you do become pregnant and there are any changes. Blood pressure usually reduces slightly in pregnancy so any rise, gives cause for concern.

Any rise in blood pressure in pregnancy can be an indication of pre-eclampsia which is a serious life threatening problem which needs immediate medical attention. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is undesirable as this also predisposes to high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia.

Pre-eclampsia is a medical condition that can manifest after the 20th week of pregnancy. If high blood pressure and protein in the mother’s urine sample is observed at the same time, it can cause great concern to the midwives and obstetricians caring for the mother and foetus.

Pre-eclampsia affects the placenta as well as the mother's vital organs and brain, and if it is left for long enough can cause seizures which can ultimately lead to death.

Those women who are predisposed to high blood pressure which could ultimately lead to pre-eclampsia include

• Women suffering with high blood pressure before they became pregnant
• Overweight or obese women
• Women who become pregnant over the age of 40
• Women who have a previous history of diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus
• Women who have suffered high blood pressure or pr-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy
  

It is thought that women, who seem pre-disposed to high blood pressure whilst pregnant, could become very strong candidates for developing high blood pressure related diseases when they are older or in middle age.