The heart is the organ that pumps blood to all other organs in the human body. As the blood pushes through the arteries and the veins, pressure builds up against the walls of these arteries as well as the heart itself. This pressure is referred to as blood pressure. The pressure varies depending on the rate of your heartbeat. Several factors influence the rate of your heartbeats such as sporting activities or fear. If the rate of your heartbeat increases the pressure rises and vice versa.
Many devices are used in health centers and at home to monitor blood pressure. Omron is the leading company in the manufacture of blood pressure monitoring devices all around the world. Their devices are widely accepted globally due to their intelligent design that ensures accurate readings. Using accurate bp devices from Omron, the expected blood pressure for a human being for ages 20 years and above should be around 117/76 mm Hg which is read as 117 over 76 millimeters of mercury. The greater number is called the Systolic, and represents the highest pressure your BP should be, and the smaller number is called Diastolic which marks the lowest pressure your BP should record. Anything above this range from 120/80 mm HG and above results to a condition known as high blood pressure.
High blood pressure (also Hypertension) has four stages of development. The first is known as prehypertension. Prehypertension occurs when the BP readings are between 120-139 over 80-89 mm Hg. The other stage is called 1st stage high blood pressure which occurs when the BP rises to 140-150 over 90-99 mm Hg. The next one is called 2nd stage high blood pressure which occurs at 160 and above over 100 and above mm Hg. The final stage is called Hypertensive crisis. This happens at Systolic above 180 over Diastolic higher than 110 mm Hg. It is very critical and patients must be given emergency care as it can result in a heart attack or stroke which may lead to death.
Notable risks associated with high blood pressure include being overweight, smoking cigarettes drinking too much alcohol, old age, lack of physical activity and also adding too much salt in food.
To avoid the risk of high blood pressure, it is important you observe the following. Lose weight to avoid being obese. Exercise regularly, reduce the intake of sodium (mainly found in table salt) in your diet, reduce alcohol intake, avoid smoking, try as much as possible to live a life free of stress because stress is a major contributor to high BP and finally monitor your blood pressure regularly even when home.
Omron has some BP devices that can be used even at home without the intervention of a physician. Always ensure you eat a healthy diet to live a healthy life.
