Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure created when your heart pumps blood through your body. This pressure is created by the blood that is being pushed through the arteries along with the resisting force that the arteries create.http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4473When taking a person's blood pressure, two numbers appear on the screen. The higher of the two numbers is called the systolic pressure and calculates the blood pressure while the heart is beating. The lower number is called the diastolic pressure and represents the blood pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4473

Normal blood pressure should be anywhere between 100/60 and 120/180.http://www.lifeclinic.com/focus/blood/whatisit.aspOnce a person goes above or below these numbers, their blood pressure will be considered high or low, which can be very dangerous if not treated. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, slows down the blood flow, allowing less oxygen to get to vital organs.http://www.medicinenet.com/low_blood_pressure/article.htmHigh blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension, and can lead to hardening of the arteries and even heart failure.http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/blood-pressure-causes

Blood Pressure Problems

Prehypertension is the step before high blood pressure and signifies higher than normal blood pressure, but is not yet high enough to be classified as hypertension. Around 25% of people in America have prehypertention; over 30% of Americans are at the step beyond that.http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm

The causes of hypertension and prehypertension are mostly unknown, but several factors can contribute to them. These factors include, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, sodium intake, old age, and genetics. Hypertension can be treated with medications, by altering one's diet to reduce sodium, and increasing daily exercise.http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/hypertension-treatment-overview

Low blood pressure is not as common as high blood pressure but still effects around 50% of people throughout their everyday lives. One study showed that around half of the test group experienced moments of low blood pressure at some point during the day.http://www.lifeclinic.com/focus/blood/lowbp.asp Some symptoms of hypotension include, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, and even fainting. When the blood does not have enough force behind it, this can even cause chest pain and heart attacks.http://www.medicinenet.com/low_blood_pressure/page3.htm#tocf

Treatments for low blood pressure depend on what's causing it. If it occurs from taking medications for high blood pressure, those medications can be altered or the dosage will be lowered. Other treatments include an increased intake of sodium or caffeine, hydration, beta blockers, blood thinners, and more. Again, these treatments are decided by a doctor based on the cause of hypotension in the patient.