WHAT IS HYPERTENSION?
Hypertension means High Blood Pressure. We need blood pressure to pump blood
all around the body. As we get older, we often need a higher pressure to force
the blood through vessels that have 'stiffened' with age.
So, what may be a high reading for a young person can be perfectly normal
for someone older.
When blood pressure is measured a cuff is put around the arm. It is pumped
full of air until it cuts off the blood supply to the ann. A stethoscope is
used to listen to the sound of the blood pumping back into the arm.
The moment the blood is first heard is the (systolic) reading. When the
sounds disappear it is the bottom (diastolic) reading. Both readings are
important. The reading tells you how high the blood pressure goes as the heart
pumps. The bottom one tells you the 'resting' pressure inside the blood
vessels. It is usually the bottom reading that is the most important.
So with each heart beat the pressure rises and falls back to resting levels
between beats.
What's normal?
- A bottom reading below 90.
- A top reading under 160.
- If you are above either or both of these readings, your blood pressure is
high.
If you are elderly it is OK to have a top reading up to 190 as long as you
are otherwise healthy.
How bad is it?
Everyone's blood pressure goes up when we are nervous, so it is not
surprising that you can have a high reading one day and a normal one the next.
For a doctor to decide you have hypertension, your blood pressure will have
been measured on several occasions. It is best if this is done after you have
rested for 10 to 15 minutes.
Alternatively you may be given a machine to take home that will measure your
blood pressure automatically throughout the day.
There are different degrees of high blood pressure; depending upon your
bottom reading:
- 90 - 104 - Mild
- 105 - 114 - Moderate
- 115 or more - Severe
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