Blood pressure measures the force the blood places against the artery walls as it is pumped through the body. It is recorded as a fraction such as 120/80 mmHg, where the top number, or systolic, represents the pressure when the heart beats, and the bottom number, or diastolic, represents it when the heart is at rest. The American Heart Association recommends having a health care professional take the blood pressure at least every 2 years, unless a physician recommends otherwise.
Catch Hypertension Early
High blood pressure, or hypertension, can exist without ever causing symptoms. Taking the blood pressure is sometimes the only way to know if it is high, warns the American Heart Association. Some individuals have high blood pressure for years and never know it until a heart attack or stoke occurs. However, if high blood pressure is caught early enough, steps can be taken to prevent serious disease.
Pre-hypertension is diagnosed once systolic blood pressure reaches 120 to 139 mmHg, and/or the diastolic pressure reaches 80 to 89 mmHg. At this stage, lifestyle changes may be all that is required to help prevent hypertension, unless there is a high risk or serious underlying disease.
Determine if Treatment Is Working
Everyone responds to treatment differently. Whether using diet, exercise or medication to treat high blood pressure, it is important to monitor the pressure to know if the treatment being used is working. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that it is important to keep the blood pressure lower than 140/90 mmHg. Levels higher than this increase the chances of a heart attack or stroke. Taking blood pressure on a regular basis can help a physician determine when to start, stop or change treatments, based on how the body is responding.
Helps to Diagnose Other Conditions
Illnesses not related to the heart can also cause blood pressure to rise. This includes diabetes, kidney disease, tumors and thyroid disorders. In addition, certain over-the-counter, prescription and herbal medications can cause high blood pressure as a side effect. Monitoring blood pressure on a regular basis may help to catch other diseases in the early stages and prevent complications from medications.
