Expected Levels of Diastolic and Systolic Blood Pressure

The real order that the numbers in a blood pressure reading are given is systolic over diastolic. The systolic pressure is higher, because it is the reading taken whilst the heart actually pumps or beats and the diastolic pressure is lower because it is taken when the heart sucks in a fresh volume of blood to pump around.

There are rough figures that doctors quote as 'regular', but there is no clear, definitive agreement what these numbers are. In the west, most books will say that any reading under 120/80 is all right. However, there are numerous medical professionals who will say that 140/80 does not need treatment, other than to lose a few pounds, if you are over weight.

This makes it very difficult for the unqualified person to judge for him or herself, whether his or her blood pressure (BP) is satisfactory or not. BP monitors are very comforting, very accurate yet not expensive nowadays, yet how can you interpret the data they give you, if not every medical expert has the same opinion?

Maybe the only method to get the most sense of this data is to go along to your general practitioner with your blood pressure monitor and talk about its results with your doctor. Your doctor can use his or her sophisticated equipment and verify it with yours and your doctor can give you a couple of figures that can be expected for someone like you.

I say this because there are several things that can have an effect on BP. In fact, actual blood pressure changes with each beat of the heart, so your blood pressure can be different each time you take it, which is why a BP monitor takes the average (or the maximum) over, say, a two minute period.

Factors that can (and often do) have an effect on blood pressure are:

The 'White Coat Effect': some people's BP soars by as much as 25-50 points if they go into a doctor's surgery. This could be anxiety or it could be fear of doctors, and it is a documented difficulty.

Mood: fear, anger, depression and anxiety can unsettle your BP.

Age: your age has a bearing on your BP.

Weather: the temperature and the humidity has an effect on BP

Stress: stress, restiveness, lack of sleep and tiredness can affect the levels of your blood pressure.

Diet: which foodstuffs and beverages you have recently consumed have an impact as do whether you are constipated or merely 'full'.

Smoking: smoking and drinking alcohol have an effect on BP.

Exercise: your physical condition, your metabolism and the amount of exercise you take are also factors.

Time of the Day: for all the above reasons and more, the time of the day that you take the reading has an impact, which is why it is a sensible idea to have your own blood pressure monitor at home.

Then you can measure your BP at certain times of the day and compare the results with the expected levels of diastolic and systolic blood pressure given you by your medical doctor.

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The Good and Bad Levels of High Blood Pressure

If you have cause to become worried about your blood pressure, you ought to begin monitoring it yourself at home. High blood pressure or hypertension is known as 'The Silent Killer' because you cannot know whether you have it unless you measure it. You cannot guess or just feel it. First of all, you should talk to your doctor and he will give you some numbers, then you can buy a blood pressure monitor and keep an eye on your condition.

When you are given your blood pressure reading by either your medical doctor or your machine, you will be given two figures, say 120/80.

The first number is your systolic pressure. The systolic pressure is while your heart 'beats' or contracts, pumping your blood through you body.

The second number is when your heart expands, sucking blood back into itself. This is the diastolic pressure. These readings are of the blood pressure in your arteries.

There are four categories that your arterial pressure numbers can fall into. The first is normal and it is generally accepted that that means readings below 120/80. These figures relate to a healthy person and can be achieved by almost anyone by keeping a healthy active lifestyle.

The second stage is called 'Prehypertension' and relates to arterial pressures between 'normal' and 140/90. This is the warning stage that you ought to be doing something to decrease your blood pressure. This could mean: a modification of diet; drinking less alcohol, tea or coffee; losing weight; taking more exercise; smoking less or giving up smoking altogether.

The third stage is known as 'Hypertension Stage One' and is reflected by figures between prehypertension and 160/100. If you get into this stage then you actually have to see your doctor and he will advocate significant changes to your lifestyle along the lines stated above or / and he will put you on tablets.

The fourth stage is called 'Hypertension Stage Two' and is anything above 160/100. This is quite dangerous and your medical doctor will want to get you to make radical alterations to your lifestyle and / or take medication which could be for the remainder of your life. If you reach this stage go to your medical doctor's as soon as possible.

While you are talking about your arterial pressure with your GP, be sure you tell him about any other medicine you are taking, because some medication will raise arterial pressures too. Examples of medication that can raise your arterial pressure are: anti-depressants, oral contraceptives and anti-flu or anti-cough medications.

There are other things that can affect your pressure figures as well. lack of sleep is one. Do you have a new-born baby, a sick child, money concerns, sleep apnoea or a snoring spouse that prevent you from sleeping properly?

Fear, anger and anxiety are also reasons for hypertension. So is constipation, drinking too much and smoking. So, before you let your medical doctor prescribe tablets to reduce your blood pressure, make certain he is aware of all your circumstances.

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