Blood Pressure, All You Should, And Need To Know

The ancient Greek physician Galen had the belief that blood was produced in the heart. Galen was the first to build on the beliefs that were earlier conceived by Hippocrates, that the body was composed of three distinct systems, systems which worked together to sustain good health and life.

Hippocrates hypothesize that the three body systems were, the brain, the nerves, and the existence of a pressure of blood. This pressure caused blood to be forced through the bodies' blood vessels. He believed this hidden blood pressure was literally what sustained life, and provided the human body with a very important energy, an energy that ultimately led to the body being able to function and survive. He also believed that the circulation of blood through the liver and veins, gave way to nourishment for the body, and aid in growth, and good health.

After hundreds of years, and a multitude of research we now see that Hippocrates, and Galen were not far off with their hypotheses. Blood is pressured through the body, via the heart. With every pumping beat the heart exerts itself to propel blood. Blood that ultimately provide every system in the body with a blood supply. Blood that not only carries oxygen to nourish every cell in the body, but blood also along with the circulatory system, acts as a means of transportation to the liver, where blood is filters of harmful impurities.

So as one will surmise a healthy blood pressure is important for many reasons. It works to feed the bodies cells, and promote good cell function, and aids in keeping ones immune system healthy, and able to avert disease.

A health blood pressure reading as most of us know it is, 120/80. But what do these numbers mean? Does it mean I have high blood pressure if that bottom number is 90? What effect does it have on the heart when my top number is 140?

The top reading (120) is called a systolic pressure (sp). The sp is the pressure the heart will exert when it is pumping the blood. The heart needs to exert a good amount of pressure to propel the blood on its way. A healthy systolic pressure reading is between 110 - 120. This indicates the heart is not working beyond its desired capacity, when at its working phase.

The bottom reading (80) is called the diastolic pressure. This is when the heart is in its resting phase. This number indicates your heart at rest, a much needed period. This gives your heart the time needed to refill with blood, and ready itself for the next systolic exertions.

A health person's blood pressure will fluctuate, with physical activity, and stress. So when you visit your doctor, and your pressure runs a bit high, you may want to recheck it later in the day. You may be pleased that the stress of worrying about the doctors' visit may have spiked your pressure, and it is now more normal. I recommend having a blood pressure monitoring device. It is a wonderful little tool to have in ones home.

We have covered the good norms for blood pressure readings, its time to provide you with the abnormal readings. Important blood pressure ranges to know, and look out for.

Pre-hypertension: is when your systolic blood (Top Number) pressure reading is between 120 and 139 or your diastolic reading ( the bottom number) blood pressure is between 82 and 89 on multiple readings, on multiple readings over a period of a few days. (Keep in mind blood pressure can fluctuate depending on stressors.) If you have pre-hypertension you are somewhat more at risk to develop true hypertension. With pre hypertension one can opt to make changes in life style, loose weight, along with diet changes, to ascertain if life style changes alone will bring down the blood pressure. If not perhaps medication may be required to lower the pressure. It is always smart to consult the doctor if you have recovered you are pre-hypertensive.

Hypertension or high blood pressure: Is indicated if your systolic reading is above 140 and your diastolic reading is above 90 for a prolonged period of days. High blood pressure makes the heart work harder, and wear out sooner. It ultimately makes the body susceptible to a wide range of health problems. Complications such as, hypertensive heart disease, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, blood vessel damage (arteriosclerosis) , aortic dissection, kidney damage, kidney failure, stroke, brain damage, loss of vision. If you have high blood pressure, its time to defiantly consult your doctor, for his recommendations.

The unfortunate problem with high blood pressure is that it is sneaky, and can go undetected due to the fact that as a rule it exhibits few or no actual symptoms. The most common symptoms being that of, blurred vision, dizziness, headache, ringing in the ears, flushed facial skin. The majority of people with high blood pressure never experience any adverse symptoms. This is one good reason it is a good idea to have a blood pressure monitoring device in ones home.

Hypertension is very controllable with the right treatment. Treatment of high blood pressure may requires you to change your diet, and possibly to loose some weight. High blood pressure will most defiantly require lifelong monitoring, along with medication. It is very important to obtain good medical care, a doctor to monitor your readings, and prescribe, and monitor the proper blood pressure medication. High blood pressure is luckily a disease that if diagnosed, is very treatable. It is most defiantly a condition you do not want to ignore.