Causes Of Blood Pressure Changes

Answer 1

Blood pressure is one of the vital signs upon which doctors and other health professionals rely to understand the health of a patient. The phrase refers to the amount of pressure that blood exerts against the walls of the blood-carrying vessels when the heart pumps. Since there is always some pressure as long as there is blood in the veins and arteries, this reading is given in two parts. Systolic blood pressure is the maximum pressure and diastolic is the minimum amount of pressure.

Blood pressure is rated according to its ability to raise a millimeter of Mercury. This is written in terms of mm/Hg. Thus, a systolic reading of 100 and a diastolic reading of 70 would read as 100 mm/Hg over 70 mm/Hg. However, it is much more common to simply use the numbers when the context of blood pressure is already given. In that case, the blood pressure reading would simply be given as 100/70. Desirable blood pressure levels are anywhere between 90/60 and 120/80.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure readings are any reading over 140/90. This is a condition known as hypertension. This can increase the likelihood of Heart disease in a person's lifetime. Causes for this condition vary but one primary cause is too much sodium in the bloodstream. Many other substances have a similar effect, such as alcohol and caffeine. This tendency can also be genetically inherited. Treatments are available and medication for hypertension is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States.

Low Blood Pressure

Low blood pressure is known as hypotension. It is a less common affliction than hypertension but carries serious consequences as well. The lack of sufficient pressure can cause blood flow to the brain to become insufficient. This results in lightheadedness and fainting. This condition is caused by a variety of things, among them hormonal abnormalities, sepsis and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.