Blood pressure refers to the pressure exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. The main source of this pressure is the heart pumping blood to the circulatory system. Blood pressure is usually measured in the brachial artery and expressed as systolic pressure (maximum pressure during a heartbeat) and diastolic pressure (minimum pressure between heartbeats), usually recorded as "120/80 mmHg". Blood pressure is an important vital sign used by medical professionals to assess a patient's health status, indicating how well the body is functioning.
A normal blood pressure range is essential for maintaining good health, but long-term high blood pressure is a proven risk factor for conditions such as stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.
There are many ways to measure blood pressure. Traditionally, medical practitioners use auscultation to measure blood pressure non-invasively, which is considered the most accurate method. With the advancement of technology, modern semi-automatic devices use the oscillatory method to measure blood pressure and are becoming more and more popular, mainly based on safety and ease of use. The normal range of blood pressure may vary depending on the measurement results in different situations, and the risk of cardiovascular disease in women relative to men also increases as blood pressure rises.
Age is an important factor affecting blood pressure. In the general adult population, systolic blood pressure increases with age, whereas diastolic blood pressure typically peaks in middle age and then begins to decline. This change in blood pressure is caused by physiological changes such as arteriosclerosis.
Average blood pressure levels in adults vary depending on a person's lifestyle and health status, and these changes are early warning signs of risk for many chronic diseases.
Both high and low blood pressure can pose a threat to your health. High blood pressure, or arterial hypertension, places an increased strain on the heart and promotes the development of lesions within the arteries that can lead to cardiovascular events. Hypotension, such as occurs in situations of acute blood loss or dehydration, can also be a life-threatening condition, resulting in over-supply of vital organs.
Changes in blood pressure are affected not only by physiological factors, but also by emotional state, physical activity and environmental factors. For example, stress and anxiety can cause short-term increases in blood pressure, and excessive stress has been linked to long-term high blood pressure. According to the report, the combination of insomnia and aging can significantly affect changes in blood pressure, leading to increased risks to cardiovascular health.
The development of cardiovascular disease is often a slow process and underlying medical conditions can go undetected leading to long-term consequences.
To control blood pressure, experts recommend adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, reducing sodium intake, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption. A healthy lifestyle helps promote heart health and prevent the development of high blood pressure. Regularly checking your blood pressure is key to promoting cardiovascular health. Identifying problems early can reduce future health risks.
ConclusionBlood pressure plays an extremely important role in our body. Understanding how to influence and maintain normal blood pressure is not only an important part of maintaining personal health, but also a variety of factors that interact with each other and ultimately affect the health of the heart. So, are you ready to take action to improve your blood pressure?