The American Heart Association defines blood pressure as the force of blood against the artery walls. The forces are created by the heart as it pumps blood into the arteries and the arteries resist blood flow.
A blood pressure cuff can be used to measure blood pressure at home or it can be measured at a doctor's office. Some pharmacies have machines that measure blood pressure for free.
Identification
Blood pressure is normal if it is 120/80 mmHG or less. The top number is called systolic. The bottom number is called diastolic. Systolic is the heart beating or contracting. Diastolic is the heart resting.
According to the American Heart Association, systolic pressure of 120 to 139 mmHg or a diastolic pressure of 80 to 89 mmHg is prehypertension. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHG or more is considered high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
Significance
It's important to have normal blood pressure for health and longevity.
High blood pressure can lead to medical problems such as stroke, heart attack, or heart and kidney failure. For this reason, high blood pressure is also known as the "silent killer."
The Role of Blood
Blood has a very important function in the human body. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cells and removes waste products. If blood pressure isn't normal every cell in the body could be affected.
Considerations
The American Heart Association says there are many types of medications used to bring high blood pressure back to a normal range. Antihypertensives lower blood pressure. Diuretics get rid of excess fluid and salt in the body. Beta-blockers reduce the heart rate. Vasodilators relax blood vessel walls. ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors prevent arteries from constricting. A doctor will determine which medications are needed.
Prevention/Solution
A normal blood pressure can be maintained through proper diet and exercise.
According to "Personal Nutrition," cigarette smoking should be avoided, exercise should be performed for at least 60 minutes per day, a healthy weight should be maintained, stress should be reduced and a healthy diet should be eaten.
A heart-healthy diet includes whole grains, lean protein sources, low-fat dairy products, healthy fats, and a lot of fruits and vegetables. Alcohol should be consumed in moderation.
Olive oil, nuts and avocado are good sources of healthy fats. Saturated fats should be consumed minimally and trans fats should be avoided. Saturated fats include fatty meats, butter and cheese. Trans fats hide in food as partially hydrogenated oils, which are commonly found in bakery items and fried foods.
References
- American Heart Association
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
- Book: "Personal Nutrition"; Marie A. Boyle and Sara Long; 2007
