Blood Pressure

Definition of Blood Pressure Terminology

• Systolic (top number): pressure against the blood vessels during the contraction phase of heartbeat
• Diastolic (bottom number): pressure against the blood during a relaxation phase of heartbeat
• Risk Factor: a circumstance or trait that increases a person's chance of developing a disease or condition
• Activities of Daily Living (ADL): things that we do commonly (work, feed ourselves, go places)

Healthy ("normal") Increase in Blood Pressure

• During heavy lifts
• During and temporarily following aerobic exercise
• This includes activities of daily living (ADL)
• Examples
• Climbing Stairs
• Hurrying to a meeting

Risk Factors for Long-Term, Unhealthy High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

• Independent (non-controllable) Risk Factors
• Age: over 45 for men, 55 for women
• Gender: Hypertension occurs among men more often than women
• Race: African American people are more prone to having hypertension than Caucasian people
• Family History: If an immediate relative has high blood pressure, you are more likely to have it.
• Dependent (controllable) Risk Factors
• Being overweight or obese
• Not being physically active (sedentary)
• Using tobacco
• Too much salt (sodium) in your diet
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Stress

Ranges of Blood Pressure

• Normal
• 115-120/75-80mm Hg
• Consult your doctor if or when your BP is in the below categories
• Pre-hypertension
• 121-139/81-89mm Hg
• Stage 1 Hypertension
• 140-159/90-99mm Hg
• Stage 2 Hypertension
•  Greater than or equal to 160/100

Hypotension

• Abnormally low blood pressure
• Hypotension is generally considered as systolic blood pressure less than 90mm HG or diastolic less than 60mm Hg
• Blood pressure is generally considered too low only if noticeable symptoms are present
• Symptoms may include:
• Blurry vision
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Fainting (syncope)
• Light-headedness
• Sleepiness
• Weakness
• Low blood pressure is commonly caused by drugs such as:
• Alcohol
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Certain antidepressants
• Diuretics
• Heart medicines, including those used to treat high blood pressure and coronary heart disease
• Medications used for surgery
• Painkillers

• Other causes of low blood pressure include:
• Advanced diabetes 
• Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic response)
• Changes in heart rhythm (arrhythmias) 
• Dehydration 
• Fainting 
• Heart attack 
• Heart failure 
• Shock (from severe infection, stroke, anaphylaxis, blood loss, or heart attack. 

•  Prevention: If you have low blood pressure, your doctor may recommend certain steps to prevent or reduce your symptoms. This may include:

• Avoiding alcohol
• Avoiding standing for a long time (if you have NMH)
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Getting up slowly after sitting or lying down
• Using compression stockings to increase blood pressure in the legs