Normal Blood Pressure Reading: High & Low, Causes, Symptoms

Blood Pressure: Types, Ranges and Reading

Blood pressure measures the force of blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps. A reading of 120/80 mm Hg is normal blood pressure. The first (systolic) number represents pressure during heartbeats, while the second (diastolic) is pressure between beats.

Readings at or above 130/80 mm Hg are generally considered higher than usual and can lead to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Regular blood pressure measurements make changes easier to identify. Read ahead to learn more about normal human body pressure and other details.

What is Normal Blood Pressure Reading?

According to current guidelines, Stage 1 Hypertension is diagnosed when an individual’s systolic pressure is 130-139 mm Hg or their diastolic pressure is 80-89 mm Hg.

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is generally considered to be a reading lower than 90/60 mm Hg. However, it is often only treated if it causes symptoms like dizziness or fainting.

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force that circulates blood throughout your circulatory system of your body. It is a crucial force as it allows the blood, which is rich in nutrients and oxygen, to move around the body to give nourishment to the tissues and organs.

Blood also carries WBCs (White blood cells) along with antibodies, which the body needs for getting immunity, platelets to prevent blood loss and hormones like insulin.

What is the Function of Blood Pressure in Our Body?

Blood flows in the body due to difference in the blood pressure. Your blood pressure is the highest at the initial of its journey that is begins from heart when it enters into the aorta and it is lowest at the last of its journey along smaller branches of arteries.

While the heart generates the highest pressure, arteries properties maintain this pressure, allowing blood to flow throughout the body.

Why Does Blood Pressure Fluctuate?

Due to walking, eating, or emotional stress, blood pressure naturally fluctuates during the day. Such variations are usually normal and may not be a cause for concern.

However, large or rapid fluctuations in blood pressure can represent underlying health problems. Reasons for such fluctuation may include stress, anxiety, certain medications, and medical conditions like diabetes or kidney disease.

Emotional stress can temporarily elevate blood pressure, and chronic stress often contributes to long-term heart and blood vessel problems. Personal habits, including diet, physical activity, and sleep schedule, also affect blood pressure.

Consuming high-sodium foods, excessive caffeine, or alcohol can cause spikes, while regular exercise and a balanced diet help maintain stability.

What are the Factors Affecting Blood Pressure?

Several factors can influence blood pressure, leading to either high or low readings. Some of the common factors are as follows:

1. Weight and Exercise: Excess body weight or obesity can cause high blood pressure. Lack of appropriate physical activity also increases this risk.
2. Dietary Habits: High nutritional salt and low dietary potassium are associated with high blood pressure.
3. Alcohol and Smoking: Drinking too much alcohol and smoking raises blood pressure.
4. Stress: Prolonged stress can cause temporary spikes in blood pressure and eventually cause permanent hypertension.
5. Other Health Problems: Some chronic conditions, such as thyroid or kidney problems, can also lead to hypertension.
6. Genetics and Age: A positive family history of high blood pressure and increasing age are non-modifiable risk factors.

How to Check Blood Pressure?

Monitoring your blood pressure at home is easy and is critical to maintaining your health and preventing disease. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Start sitting on a chair with back support and feet flat on the ground.

Step 2: Please rest only for the next five minutes.

Step 3: Ensure your arm is at the level of your heart, resting on a table, and the cuff is on bare skin, not over clothing. Start measuring.

Step 4: Do not speak during the measurement.

For preparation, don’t eat, drink anything caffeinated, or smoke for 30 minutes before you check your blood pressure. Ensure you empty your bladder before you get started.

At home, take at least two readings that are one to two minutes apart and then bring a record of the results to your doctor. Regular readings are essential to accurately record your blood pressure over time.

What are the Risks of High and Low Blood Pressure?

Abnormal blood pressure ranges can lead to several other health conditions, such as:

1. Heart Disease: When the heart is forced to work harder, complications like heart failure and heart attacks can occur.
2. Stroke: High blood pressure can also lead to a burst or blockage, resulting in a stroke.
3. Kidney Failure: High blood pressure can harm the kidneys; in some cases, your kidneys can stop working or fail.
4. Cognitive Problems: It also leads to memory loss and dementia.
5. Aneurysms: Continuous high pressure can weaken and bulge blood vessels, creating aneurysms.

Blood pressure is an essential measurement for the human heart and body that determines the majority of one's health; thus, it is crucial to manage it by implementing several lifestyle changes. It is also advised to have health insurance to secure your health and finances during critical times.

At Star Health, our general insurance policies cover high blood pressure and low blood pressure treatment. We also provide hassle-free claim settlements with reduced turnaround time across over 14,000 network hospitals in India.

Also Read:

→ What is Blood Pressure

→ Normal Blood Pressure for a 60-Year-Old

→ Medicine for Low Blood Pressure