Blood Pressure – Definition, Symptoms, Treatment
Blood pressure and heart rate are terms that people usually get confused with and use them conversely. This leads to misuse of medication during self-diagnosis. In simple terms, blood pressure is defined as the pressure blood exhibits on the walls of the blood vessels. Blood vessels are the components of the circulatory system that help circulate blood to various parts of the body. The body has 2 main circulation pathways through which blood is carried from the heart to other parts of the body i.e. through the arteries and from other parts of the body back to the heart for purification i.e. through the veins.
Blood pressure is the term used for the blood carried by blood vessels in the arteries only. It is a common phenomenon that blood pressure falls and rises at random intervals throughout the day. The blood pressure is measured using a B.P. monitor or an instrument called Sphygmometer, where we measure the pressure under 2 values called systole and diastole.
Systolic number measures the pressure of the arteries when the heart beats and Diastolic number measures the pressure of the arteries when the heart rests between beats. A normal Blood pressure range is defined as 120/80 mmHg. The usual range for Blood pressure is defined between 90/60mmHg to 130/80mmHg. If the blood pressure falls below 90/60mmHg then this leads to low B.P. where the patient is said to have low blood pressure and this is called Hypotension. Whereas patients with reading above 140/90 mmHg is said to have high blood pressure or Hypertension. Both these cases are detrimental to the patient and proper treatment is to be administered.
There are risks that come with both high B.P. (Hypertension) and with Low B.P (Hypotension).
| Hypertension | Hypotension |
| Above 130/90 mmHg reading | Below 90/60mmHg |
| Symptoms - Discomfort, sweating, chest pain, headaches. | Symptoms – Fainting, Dizziness, Light-headedness, weakness, Fatigueg |
| Could lead to kidney failure if not diagnosed early. | Could lead to a state of shock and lack of breathe. |
It’s important to identify Blood pressure at an early stage so that we can look for alternatives to medication. But with more than 50% of the individuals worldwide having some condition of uncontrolled blood pressure, it has become a norm to treat it with medication as the results are quick and without much stress. People who use healthcare services need to keep track of the medication being administered to them by nurses and assistants to avoid duplication of medication. Blood pressure isn’t just a mid-life scenario that we must concern ourselves with after the age of 35, it is to be controlled throughout our life in order to stay healthy with less concern.
