MEASURING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
Posted: under Cardio & Blood- Сholesterol.
How is blood pressure expressed?Standard blood pressure readings are expressed in figures representing the force required to raise a column of mercury (Hg) to a certain height, measured in millimeters (mm). Readings are expressed in numbers that look like fractions but are not. The pumping pressure, or systolic pressure, is stated first, and the resting pressure, or diastolic pressure, is stated second. For example, your blood pressure may be 120780. This would be expressed verbally as “one hundred twenty over eighty”.
What is considered normal blood pressure?Normal blood pressure varies from moment to moment within each individual. Your blood pressure may be higher at one time than another. It goes up when you exercise or are under stress and goes down when you rest or sleep. In an otherwise healthy adult, however, the generally recognized normal range of systolic (pumping) blood pressure is from 90 to 120 mm Hg; the diastolic (resting) blood pressure ranges from 55 to 90 mm Hg.In determining whether you have high blood pressure, your physician will be concerned with the usual pressure in your system. Your physician may measure your blood pressure more than once during a visit. For example, if you have hurried to the office, you may feel out of breath, which could contribute to a high reading. Later during the visit, as you relax, your blood pressure may go down. Also, your physician may consider the average of several readings taken at different times before making a diagnosis of high blood pressure. If your blood pressure reading is high on only one occasion, your physician will want to measure your blood pressure again under other circumstances to see if drug treatment is necessary.
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