What is Blood Pressure

Heart Beat

Photo Credit- Wikimedia Commons by Nevit Dilmen

It is very important to regulate the blood pressure as the abnormal blood pressure causes several health problems. But first of all it is necessary to know that what the blood pressure is, how to regulate it and why it is necessary to do so.

                

The blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the flowing blood on the walls of the arteries. These arteries carry the blood from the heart to different parts and organs of the body. The heart pumps the blood in the arteries and controls the flow of blood in the arteries. The pressure exerted during the pumping of the blood is called the blood pressure.

The blood pressure is diastolic or has the lower value when the muscles of the heart become loose in the contraction of the heart.

The blood pressure id diastolic when the heart expands to pump the blood into the arteries.

The systolic blood pressure of a healthy person lies between 90 to 120 mm. The normal diastolic pressure lies between 60- 80 mm.

The blood pressure is measured by the blood pressure machine called sphygmomanometer.

The blood pressure causes two problems

Low Blood Pressure

It is the pressure when the symptoms of the reduced flow of blood in arteries and veins appear. The nutrients and oxygen fail to reach the organs like brain, heart and kidneys, when the flow of blood gets reduced. The giddiness and the feeling of nausea appear and the person falls down on becoming unconscious in orthostatic high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure

This situation appears when the blood pressure becomes more than 140-90. It means that the arteries are under high stress or tension. It does not means emotional stress. The emotional stress temporarily increases the blood pressure. The normal blood pressure should be between 80-120.

The dangers of heart diseases, kidney problems, stiff arteries, vision problems and brain damages occur in high blood pressure.

Tips to Control the Blood Pressure

1. Regular exercises of half an hour every day are necessary for the health. But consult the physician about the nature of exercises in case of any health problem.

2. Control the body weight by diet and exercise for the health of the heart.

3. Reduce the intake of salt to regulate the blood pressure. The intake of not more than a small tablespoon of salt per day is advisable. The fast foods generally contain excess amounts of salt and should be avoided.

4. The choice of the type of the food taken also affects the blood pressure. Take the food containing minimum cholesterol and take unsaturated fats.

5. Consult the physician in time and regularly take the medicines if advised to do so.