High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. It is a measure of the force applied to the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. This pressure is determined by the force and amount of blood pumped, and the size and flexibility of the arteries. A blood pressure reading is made up of two numbers: systolic and diastolic values. The former represents the maximum pressure exerted when the heart contracts and the diastolic value represents the minimum pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest.
High blood pressure
There are four categories of blood pressure based on a person's systolic and diastolic values according to the journals "Circulation" and "Hypertension." As these values increase, the risk for blood pressure related health problems increase. The recommended adult blood pressure reading is a value of 120/80. The next category is called pre-hypertension, which begins to place a person at a greater risk of developing high blood pressure, is value range of 120/80 to 139/89. Thus, the first stage of high blood pressure is called Type I hypertension and is a range between 140/90 to 159/99; and of greatest risk, Type II hypertension is a value of 160/100 and higher.
Risk
Type I and II hypertension are risk factors for negative health related disease such as heart disease, also referred to as cardiovascular disease according to the journal "Circulation." The Mayo Clinic describes heart disease as a condition that involves narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina), heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias), or stroke (an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain). If left untreated, uncontrolled, or undiagnosed, high blood pressure past the age of 50 can magnify the risk and occurrence of a disease like this.
Low Blood Pressure
There are three major categories of low blood pressure according to the Mayo Clinic. These categories describe why a person might have low blood pressure, as opposed to varying degrees of low blood pressure risk. Low blood pressure associated with body position is referred to as orthostatic hypotension. This occurs when there is a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing up from a sitting or lying position. The next category is referred to as postprandial hypotension or low blood pressure after eating. This occurs because the organs of a person's digestive system pull the blood toward it for the digestive process of food to occur. Neurally mediated hypotension occurs because there is a miscommunication between the brain and the heart of a person. A person's brain is not able to tell the heart to continue to circulate the blood when blood pressure is too low.
Low Blood Pressure Risk
Blood pressure below a reading of 90/60 is considered low blood pressure according to the Mayo Clinic. The health problems or risks associated with a reading this this low can be related to heart problems, endocrine problems, dehydration, severe infection, severe allergic reaction, lack of dietary nutrients, and blood loss. Further, factors like old age, medication, and certain diseases can put a person at an increased risk for low blood pressure and associated health problems.
Treatment
Identification and treatment of both high and low blood pressure can decrease a person's risk for negative health related issues that are associated with these conditions. Lifestyle modifications, such as body weight management, decreased sodium intake, decreased alcohol consumption, regular exercise, and cessation of smoking, can decrease a person's risk for high blood pressure according to the journals "Hypertension" and "Circulation." Whereas in many instances unhealthy low blood pressure may be prevented by eating a healthy well-balanced diet full of nutrients, keeping hydrated, by exercising, and through careful use of medications, according to the Mayo Clinic.
References
- "Hypertension"; Report on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure; A.V. Chobanian et al.; December 2003
- "Circulation"; Treatment of Hypertension in the Prevention and Management of Ischemic Heart Disease; C. Rosendorff et al.; May 2007
- Mayo Clinic: Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: What Are High Blood Pressure and Prehypertension?
- Mayo Clinic: Heart Disease Definition
