If you have cause to become worried about your blood pressure, you ought to begin monitoring it yourself at home. High blood pressure or hypertension is known as 'The Silent Killer' because you cannot know whether you have it unless you measure it. You cannot guess or just feel it. First of all, you should talk to your doctor and he will give you some numbers, then you can buy a blood pressure monitor and keep an eye on your condition.
When you are given your blood pressure reading by either your medical doctor or your machine, you will be given two figures, say 120/80.
The first number is your systolic pressure. The systolic pressure is while your heart 'beats' or contracts, pumping your blood through you body.
The second number is when your heart expands, sucking blood back into itself. This is the diastolic pressure. These readings are of the blood pressure in your arteries.
There are four categories that your arterial pressure numbers can fall into. The first is normal and it is generally accepted that that means readings below 120/80. These figures relate to a healthy person and can be achieved by almost anyone by keeping a healthy active lifestyle.
The second stage is called 'Prehypertension' and relates to arterial pressures between 'normal' and 140/90. This is the warning stage that you ought to be doing something to decrease your blood pressure. This could mean: a modification of diet; drinking less alcohol, tea or coffee; losing weight; taking more exercise; smoking less or giving up smoking altogether.
The third stage is known as 'Hypertension Stage One' and is reflected by figures between prehypertension and 160/100. If you get into this stage then you actually have to see your doctor and he will advocate significant changes to your lifestyle along the lines stated above or / and he will put you on tablets.
The fourth stage is called 'Hypertension Stage Two' and is anything above 160/100. This is quite dangerous and your medical doctor will want to get you to make radical alterations to your lifestyle and / or take medication which could be for the remainder of your life. If you reach this stage go to your medical doctor's as soon as possible.
While you are talking about your arterial pressure with your GP, be sure you tell him about any other medicine you are taking, because some medication will raise arterial pressures too. Examples of medication that can raise your arterial pressure are: anti-depressants, oral contraceptives and anti-flu or anti-cough medications.
There are other things that can affect your pressure figures as well. lack of sleep is one. Do you have a new-born baby, a sick child, money concerns, sleep apnoea or a snoring spouse that prevent you from sleeping properly?
Fear, anger and anxiety are also reasons for hypertension. So is constipation, drinking too much and smoking. So, before you let your medical doctor prescribe tablets to reduce your blood pressure, make certain he is aware of all your circumstances.
