Elevated or high blood pressure is widely considered a health risk, which is why it’s highly recommended that everyone have their own spygmomanometer at home and learn how to use this blood pressure monitor by themselves. Having this knowledge will enable you to know if you or a loved one is having high blood pressure, so you may then do something about it.
What you’re going to learn here are the primary causes of high blood pressure and everything you should know about it.
What is high blood pressure?
The cause ofthe arterial blood pressure is the pressure of the blood against the arterial walls. What the heart does is pump blood, and each beat (which can be measured using a pulse oximeter) results in the increase in the arterial pressure.
Two pressure values exit from the heart:
- Systolic Blood Pressure – the highest pressure value that corresponds to the contraction of the heart that pumps blood into the arteries.
- Diastolic Blood Pressure – the lowest value, which corresponds to the pressure of the blood after heart contractions.
How is blood pressure measured?
An inflatable cuff is used to measure arterial blood pressure. The cuff is slipped over the wrist or arm. Take note that measurement should be done only after 5 minutes of lying or sitting down. To get blood pressure, you can use an automatic blood pressure device like a digital BP Omron, a blood pressure device with mercury, or a device with a subdivided scale.
What about hypertension?
One has high blood pressure when his or her blood pressure is measured at 140/90 mmHg or higher. In this case, the systolic blood pressure is 140 mmHg, and the diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg. Take note that taking blood pressure on a regular basis can help detect illnesses or disorders.
What can cause high blood pressure?
High blood pressure may occur with no obvious reason. But still, high blood pressure may indicate anomalies in the adrenal gland or kidney function. Other factors that may cause elevated blood pressure include age, pigmented skin, being overweight, genetic factors, and excessive consumption of salt and alcohol.
When it comes to preventing the occurrence of high blood pressure, medical experts advise having a healthier lifestyle, including consuming less alcohol, engaging in sports and losing weight.
Check out Philippine Medical Supplies where you can get affordable and reliable tools for your first aid kit at home, such as blood pressure monitor, a thermometer, a stethoscope, or even a glucometer.
English
Arabic