Most doctors recommend the use of a blood pressure machine to check blood pressure. An individual may check heart rate with their fingers, but not blood pressure. Data shows checking blood pressure using fingers may not be accurate though there is an obscure method to correlate the pulse reading with systolic (upper) blood pressure. Blood pressure must be always measured using validated equipment.
Place the fingers on the inside of the wrist to locate the pulse. Now, take two fingers (preferably index and middle fingers) and place them just below the wrist creases on the thumb side of the hand. A strong pulse felt at the wrist correlates to a systolic blood pressure of at least 80 mmHg. This method is not always correct and hence not recommended.
It is important to use the correct technique to obtain an accurate measurement. Blood pressure is the force the blood exerts on the sides of the blood vessels as it moves ahead and is an important indicator of health. The pulse will give the basic information required to estimate the systolic blood pressure (the upper number of blood pressure readings). Keep in mind this is a very rough estimate and only indicates if the systolic blood pressure is not low. Blood pressure monitoring should be done with a cuff and a stethoscope. However, recent advances in technology have made budget-friendly automatic blood pressure monitors easily available in pharmacies.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition in which the constant force of the blood against blood walls or artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems. High blood pressure results from the tightening of narrow arteries called arterioles. Arterioles regulate blood flow throughout the body. When these arterioles tighten, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the smaller space and the pressure inside the vessels grows resulting in various heart diseases. Hypertension is known as "the silent killer" because many people do not even know they have the condition. If left untreated, high blood pressure greatly increases the risk of heart attack, kidney failure, and stroke. The sign and symptoms of hypertension may include
- Asymptomatic (no symptoms)
- Severe headaches
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Pounding in the chest, neck, or ears
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Chest pain
- Vision problems
- Trouble sleeping
Apart from these common symptoms, a few rare symptoms are
- Nosebleed
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Irregular heartbeat
- Blood in the urine
- Nervousness
- Facial flushing
- Bloody spots in the white of the eyes
SLIDESHOW
How to Lower Blood Pressure: Exercise and Tips See SlideshowIs hypotension dangerous?
To have low blood pressure is not always a concern. However, severe hypotension can cause a lack of blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness, blackouts or loss of consciousness, and may even be life-threatening in severe cases. Low blood pressure or hypotension is a condition where the systolic and diastolic pressure falls below 90 and 60 mmHg, respectively. Normal blood pressure is 120 and 80 mmHg. Systolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and fills them with blood. Diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats. Usually, low blood pressure is a sign of underlying or age-related medical conditions. It is necessary to pay attention to the signs and symptoms of low blood pressure in its initial stages. The symptoms of low blood pressure include
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tiredness or weakness
- Cold sweaty skin
- Palpitations
- Shallow and rapid breathing
- Confusion or mental fog
- Loss of consciousness, concussion
- Weak pulse
- Stiff neck
- Pale skin
- Convulsions
What type of food is recommended to control blood pressure?
According to the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, a person is considered to have high blood pressure if their blood pressure is consistently higher than 130/80. A few common diet tips and foods that help control blood pressure are
- Olive oil is packed with antioxidants and polyphenols that have various health benefits, including the reduction of blood pressure. Cooking vegetables in olive oil also allows the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins K, A, D, and E.
- Flaxseeds are a powerful superfood when it comes to reducing hypertension. They contain α-linolenic acid, which is an essential omega-3 fatty acid that has been found to control blood pressure.
- Limiting salt in the diet is the best way to maintain kidney health. Keep daily salt consumption below 1,500 mg per day.
- Potassium-rich foods including spinach and bananas have been shown in studies to reduce blood pressure. Potassium helps the kidneys flush sodium out of the body. This can cause blood pressure to decrease. Some other high-potassium foods are melons, oranges, apricots, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tuna, salmon, beans, nuts, seeds, Swiss chard, and white beans.
- Magnesium may help relax blood vessels, making it easier for blood to pass through. Foods rich in magnesium include vegetables, dairy, chicken, legumes, and whole grains.
Apart from these, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking is the best way to control blood pressure.
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Blood Pressure Readings: Chart, Normal, High, Low
Blood pressure is the force applied by the blood over the inner walls of the arteries. Although the average blood pressure for a person remains constant, it shows minor fluctuations throughout the day—declining while relaxing and momentarily increasing while being excited or under stress. An increase in resting blood pressure can scar, stiffen, or harden the arteries.What Does it Mean When the Bottom Number of Your Blood Pressure is Over 100?
Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is the pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries when the heart muscle relaxes between beats. When the bottom number of blood pressure (diastole) is over 100 mmHg, it may be called diastolic hypertension (DHT). Diastolic blood pressure means the blood pressure reading during the phase when your heart relaxes (diastole). Force of the blood against the walls of the arteries (the blood vessels carrying blood from the heart to other sites) in the body is called blood pressure. The heart pumps the blood into the arteries as it contracts (systole).
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms.
Systolic and diastolic are the two readings in which blood pressure is measured. The American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for high blood pressure in 2017. The guidelines now state that blood normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If either one of those numbers is higher, you have high blood pressure.
The American Academy of Cardiology defines high blood pressure slightly differently. The AAC considers 130/80 mm Hg. or greater (either number) stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is considered 140/90 mm Hg. or greater.
If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.
REFERENCE: CDC. High Blood Pressure. Updated: Nov 13, 2017.
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Things to Know About High Blood Pressure Treatment
High blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Treatment for high blood pressure include lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs and medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha blockers, clonidine, minoxidil, and Exforge.
How Do I Know If I Have High or Low Blood Pressure Numbers?
High or low blood pressure can lead to serious health conditions. Learn more about what you should do if your pressure is outside the ideal range.
Is A Manual Blood Pressure More Accurate?
Manual blood pressure gives accurate results when used correctly by a trained person. However, manual blood pressure measurement is not the recommended type of blood pressure monitoring for home use because it requires some training.What Is Considered Stroke-Level High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure readings above 180/120 mmHg are considered stroke-level and require immediate medical attention. Check out the center below for more medical references on hypertension, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related diseases, treatment, diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
What Is the Blood Pressure of a Very Fit Person?
Studies show that a very fit person who exercises regularly will have a lower resting blood pressure (usually below 120/80 mm Hg) than someone who leads a sedentary lifestyle.
What Time of Day Is Blood Pressure Highest?
Your blood pressure follows a pattern, rising a while before you wake up. It is the highest at midday and tends to drop in the evening or late afternoon.
Why Is My Bottom Blood Pressure Number High?
Isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) occurs when your systolic blood pressure is normal, and only your diastolic blood pressure is high (over 80 mm Hg). Causes of high diastolic blood pressure include a high-sodium diet, obesity, lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, stress and anxiety.