| In this article we're going to discuss exactly how high | | | | these may not be appropriate measurements for |
| blood pressure in a person is measured. | | | | everybody. As a matter of fact, professionals now |
| A person's blood pressure is commonly measured | | | | believe that there are varying stages of high blood |
| with an instrument called a blood pressure cuff or | | | | pressure, from a low end to a high end. The range as |
| sphygmomanometer. The blood pressure cuff is | | | | is now defined is between 120/80 to 139/89. This is |
| made up of an air pump, a pressure gauge, and a | | | | called the pre hypertension range and people who fall |
| rubber cuff. The device measures the blood pressure | | | | within this range should think about trying to lower |
| in units called millimeters of mercury. | | | | their blood pressure. Usually in pre hypertension |
| The procedure for taking blood pressure is as follows. | | | | cases, simple life style changes are enough to lower |
| The cuff is placed around the patient's upper arm and | | | | the pressure. |
| inflated with an air pump to a pressure which blocks | | | | For some people, however, a blood pressure reading |
| the flow of blood in the main artery that travels | | | | of 130/80 is perfectly normal especially if they have |
| through the person's arm. The arm is extended at | | | | experienced kidney problems or even kidney disease. |
| the side of the body at heart level. At this time, the | | | | The purpose of lowering the pressure in these cases |
| pressure from the cuff is slowly released. As the | | | | is to reduce the damage done to the kidneys. |
| pressure is released, the person doing the procedure, | | | | Patients with diabetes may also benefit from having |
| usually a nurse, listens with a stethoscope to the | | | | their blood pressure lowered to 130/80. African |
| artery at the front of the elbow. The pressure | | | | Americans may benefit by having their blood |
| reading at which a pulse is first heard is the systolic | | | | pressure lowered to 135/80. The reason that these |
| pressure. At the point where the pressure finally | | | | cases are not lowered to 120/80 is because that is |
| stops pulsating is the diastolic pressure. | | | | not a realistic goal in their case. |
| Blood pressure is affected by a number of factors | | | | In some cases a person may have isolated systolic |
| and therefore it is important to standardize the | | | | or diastolic high blood pressure, meaning that the top |
| environment when blood pressure is taken. For one | | | | or bottom number is elevated while the other |
| hour before taking your blood pressure you should | | | | number is normal. Examples would be 150/80 or 120 |
| avoid eating, exercise and smoking. These will all | | | | 90. In these cases a person is still considered to have |
| affect your blood pressure. There are other stresses | | | | high blood pressure and should be treated accordingly. |
| that affect blood pressure and should also be | | | | Patients with borderline high blood pressure may not |
| avoided. | | | | need immediate treatment but they should keep a |
| Most insurance companies consider high blood | | | | careful eye on their blood pressure by having regular |
| pressure to be anything above 140/90. However, | | | | checkups. |