There are many different markers of health status. Understanding the definition of health indicators such as blood pressure and what exactly your blood pressure reading means can be confusing. While all those numbers may appear complicated at first, it is possible to break them down into more comprehensible terms. You can improve your understanding so you'll know just what your doctor is talking about on your next visit.
Step 1
Remember that the definition of blood pressure is the amount of pressure your blood exerts on your arteries. It is measured in millimeters of mercury, or mmHg.
Step 2
Recognize that a blood pressure reading is given with two numbers. The top number is called systolic blood pressure and the bottom number is called diastolic blood pressure.
Step 3
Be aware that the two numbers are separated by a slash mark like this, 120/75, and read like, "One hundred and twenty over seventy-five."
Step 4
Understand that the systolic blood pressure is the measure of the blood's pressure on the arteries as your heart contracts to push the blood along the circulatory system.
Step 5
Understand that the diastolic blood pressure is the measure of the blood's pressure on the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats.
Step 6
Realize that when the doctor or nurse is taking your blood pressure, they are listening to the pulse beats through a stethoscope after inflating the cuff with the pump. The number on the dial at the point where they start hearing beats is your systolic pressure and the number when the beats can no longer be heard is your diastolic pressure.
Step 7
Familiarize yourself with what your blood pressure reading means and what it indicates about your health. A blood pressure of less than 120 mmHg over less than 80 mmHg is normal. A reading between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg is classified as prehypertension, or at-risk for high blood pressure. A reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher is hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Step 8
Be aware that high blood pressure, or hypertension, puts you at risk for stroke, heart attack and kidney failure.
Step 9
Commit to making lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure if you are diagnosed with hypertension. Consuming a diet focused on fresh foods that are low in sodium and regularly participating in physical activity can help control your blood pressure.
Tips and Warnings
- It's best to take two different blood pressure readings and average the results to get a true sense of your accurate blood pressure. Consult your medical care provider about the best treatment for you if you learn you have high blood pressure. Electronic machines for taking blood pressure are now widely available, and they eliminate the need for doctors to listen to the pulse beat through the stethoscope.
- Avoid drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes at least 30 minutes before you have your blood pressure taken and try to sit quietly for at least five minutes prior to the exam.
