Blood Pressure

In this article, we will discuss Blood Pressure and its categories, types, and treatments.

What is Blood Pressure?

BP (Blood Pressure) is defined as the pressure of blood against the artery walls. Whenever the heartbeats pump the blood into the arteries, it's called systolic pressure. When the heart rests between beats, the blood pressure is decreased, known as diastolic pressure.

Blood pressure reading uses the two numbers, i.e., 120 and 80. Usually, the systolic number is before the diastolic number.

Blood Pressure Categories

American Heart Association is recognized as the five ranges of blood pressure. These are as follows:

1. Normal

The normal range of blood pressure is categorized within a number less than 120 to 80 mm Hg. If the blood pressure results fit into this category, we have to stick with heart-healthy habits like a balanced diet and exercise.

2. Elevated

The elevated BP is measured when the blood pressure is regularly around 120 to 129 systolic or lower than 80 mm Hg diastolic.

3. Hypertension Stage 1

Hypertension stage 1 is considered when the systolic pressure ranges between 130-139 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure ranging between 80-89 mm Hg. At this stage, doctors are likely to determine that patients change their lifestyle and contain drugs based on their risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

4. Hypertension Stage 2

It is defined as when the blood pressure readings in systolic ranging 140 mm Hg or above, and in diastolic ranging 90 mm Hg or more than it.

5. Hypertensive Crisis

It is that stage where high blood pressure patient needs medical care. When the blood pressure reading unexpectedly reaches 180-120 mm Hg, wait for almost five minutes and check the blood pressure again. If the readings are still exceptionally high, contact the doctor immediately. It may have undergone a hypertensive crisis.

Types of high blood pressure

High blood pressure commonly categorizes into two types primary and secondary.

Primary blood pressure

It is a common type of blood pressure that affects most people's because it grows over time.

Secondary blood pressure

It is caused by the use of certain medicines or other medical conditions.

Why should we need to worry about high blood pressure?

We must worry about high blood pressure because if the blood pressure remains high over time, it may cause various dangerous health problems like stroke, kidney failure, heart attack, and heart failure.

Treatments

High blood pressure treatment contains medicines, a balanced diet, and a heart-healthy lifestyle. People can work with the provider to develop a treatment plan. It can only include lifestyle changes, and these changes may be very effective, like a healthy diet and exercise. But sometimes, these changes don't control or lower the high blood pressure, and people may need to procure the medication. Various types of medicines available for blood pressure.

If a medication or a medical condition causes high blood pressure, treating the condition or stopping the medicine may reduce or control high blood pressure.