What Is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood throughout the body. It is measured using two numbers: systolic pressure, which measures pressure when the heart beats, and diastolic pressure, which measures pressure while the heart rests between beats.
Maintaining healthy blood pressure is essential for protecting the heart, brain, kidneys, and other organs.
Why Blood Pressure Matters
Blood pressure that is consistently too high or too low can lead to serious health problems. High blood pressure (hypertension) increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure, while very low blood pressure (hypotension) may cause dizziness, fainting, or poor circulation.
What Can Affect Blood Pressure?
- Age
- Diet, especially sodium intake
- Physical activity
- Stress
- Body weight
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Certain medications
- Underlying medical conditions
Signs of High or Low Blood Pressure
High blood pressure often causes no symptoms and is known as a “silent” condition. Low blood pressure may cause:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Confusion in severe cases
How Is Blood Pressure Measured?
Blood pressure is measured using a blood pressure cuff and monitor. Your healthcare provider may recommend checking it regularly at home, especially if you have hypertension or another cardiovascular condition.
How Home Care Can Help
Home care professionals can monitor blood pressure, encourage medication adherence, promote heart-healthy habits, support low-sodium meal planning, encourage appropriate physical activity, and report concerning changes to the healthcare provider.
Home Care Tip
Measure your blood pressure at about the same time each day and keep a record of your readings to share with your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blood Pressure
What is considered normal blood pressure?
Your healthcare provider can help determine your ideal blood pressure based on your age and health. In general, a reading below 120/80 mmHg is considered normal for many healthy adults.
Can lifestyle changes improve blood pressure?
Yes. Eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting sodium, avoiding smoking, and taking prescribed medications can all help manage blood pressure.
Can home care professionals monitor blood pressure?
Yes. Home care professionals can monitor blood pressure, recognize abnormal readings, reinforce treatment plans, and communicate concerns to the healthcare provider.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Care
Seek emergency medical attention if you experience severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness, vision changes, confusion, or extremely high or low blood pressure accompanied by concerning symptoms.