Blood pressure (BP) refers to the force of blood pushing against the arteries as your heart pumps blood. If the pressure rises and continues to do so over a period of time, it can damage your heart. BP is typically recorded as two numbers; Systolic (top) and Diastolic (bottom).
Systolic: measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts) 90 – 120 is desirable
Diastolic: measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle is resting) 60 – 80 is desirable
High BP (Hypertension)
Pre-hypertention: reading between 121/81 and 140/90
Hypertention: reading is at least 141/91
Potential Symptoms: Irregular heartbeat, chest pains, difficulty breathing, fatigue, headaches, blurred vision
High BP can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries), which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Risk Factors:
- Age – risk increases as you get older
- Family history – can be hereditary
- Being overweight – increases the strain on the heart, raises blood cholesterol & triglyceride levels and lowers HDL ‘good’ cholesterol
- Lack of exercise – makes it easier to become overweight or obese
- Smoking – temporarily raises blood pressure
- Alcohol – excessive intake can increase BP dramatically
- Stress – can temporarily increase BP. People who are stressed may also adopt a less healthy diet, not partake in physical activity, drink and smoke
- Excessive salt in your diet – salt makes your body retain water, which increases BP
Low BP (hypotension)
reading of 89/59 (or below)
Potential symptoms: Light-headedness, dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, tiredness, nausea
As a rule, a healthy diet goes hand in hand with lower blood pressure. High salt and saturated fat consumption might be responsible for elevated BP and should be limited. Low BP might be due to dehydration and can be treated by increasing your fluid intake.