Blood Pressure Definition
When people say "taking your blood pressure," they mean measuring the force of the blood that your heart pumps through your body. These two figures are referred to as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, both figures are significant, but for different reasons.
Blood Pressure Overviews
When the heart beats, blood moves through the arteries to get to different parts of the body. is different from what you see from a garden hose or water faucet.
The pulse of the blood flow and the pressure it puts on the body change from time to time. You can tell because it's at its highest point during a heartbeat and at its lowest point between beats (diastolic).
If the readings are too high, it could mean that a person has high blood pressure, which can be dangerous. If the readings are too low, there may not be enough blood moving to the brain and other important parts of the body. It's a sign that there might be a heart condition or other problem
Systolic
By looking at your pulse, you can tell when your heart is beating. This is called a heartbeat, and this is why it is called systole. It's the pressure in your heart during a heartbeat and the highest pressure you can measure.
Systolic Blood Pressure is too High:
When a person is exercising, stressed, or has a high heart rate, the heart muscle pushes out blood with more force. Because of it, the pressure in your heart goes up as well. When there is more pressure, that's normal. In other words, when the pressure is high while a person is at rest, that's called high blood pressure.
Systolic Blood Pressure is too Low:
The term "hypotension" is used when the systolic blood pressure is lower than it should be. If this low blood pressure is bad enough, it can make you lightheaded, dizzy, or faint. If it goes on for a long time and isn't treated, your kidneys may start to shut down, which can be very bad.
Systolic hypotension may happen if there is not enough blood in your body, which can make you feel weak. If you are very thirsty or have a lot of bleeding, this can happen. There isn't enough blood to move through the body.
Diastolic
The heart takes a break between beats so it can get more blood. This pause between beats is called "diastole." During this pause before the next heartbeat, your diastolic blood pressure is the number that is read out.
The diastolic reading, or bottom number, is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. This is the period during which the heart receives blood and oxygen.
Your diastolic blood pressure reading indicates the following
Less than 80 is considered normal.
For stage 1 hypertension, the range is 80-89.
The diastolic reading, or bottom number, is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. This is the period during which the heart receives blood and oxygen, having high blood pressure can make your diastolic number go up even when you're just lying down and not moving.
FAQs on Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure
1. What is Systolic blood pressure? Explain.
When your heart beats, blood is squeezed and pushed through your arteries to the rest of your body. This force exerts pressure on your blood vessels, resulting in your systolic blood pressure.
Here's how to interpret your systolic blood pressure reading:
Normal: less than 120
Elevated Range: 120-129
Stage 1 hypertension (high blood pressure): 130-139
Stage 2 hypertension is defined as having a blood pressure of 140 or higher.
Hypertensive crisis * 180 or higher.
2. What is Diastolic Blood Pressure?
The pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats is measured as the diastolic reading or the bottom number. This is the time when the heart receives blood and oxygen.
This is what your diastolic blood pressure reading indicates:
Typical: less than 80
80-89 for stage 1 hypertension
Stage 2 hypertension is defined as having a blood pressure of 90 or higher.
A hypertensive crisis is 120 or higher.
3. What does the term ‘Hypotension’ mean?
When blood pressure falls below the normal range, this is referred to as having low blood pressure (hypotension). Doctors generally define low blood pressure as 90/60 mm Hg or less, also known colloquially as "90 over 60." Doctors typically only treat hypotension when it is severe enough to cause symptoms.
4. What does the term ‘Hypertension’ mean?
A condition in which the blood's force against the artery walls is excessive.
Hypertension is typically defined as blood pressure greater than 140/90, and it is considered severe if the pressure exceeds 180/120.
Symptoms of high blood pressure are not always present. If left untreated, it can lead to health problems such as heart disease and stroke.
5. What’s the difference Between Systolic and Diastolic Heart Failure?
Heart failure occurs when your heart cannot pump efficiently enough to keep you healthy. Your heart may work less efficiently when you exercise or are anxious.
Systolic heart failure occurs when the heart does not contract properly. Diastolic heart failure occurs when the heart cannot rest properly between beats. There are two types of left-sided heart failure.
6. What is the importance of measuring blood pressure levels?
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure could be a compelling thing. The amount of pressure level depends on the activity of your heart and also the elasticity of your arteries. As we have seen, the force per unit area is actively changing from moment to moment because of the heart cycles between systole and diastole. Additionally, your systolic and diastolic blood pressure (the highest and therefore the lowest pressure reached during any given cardiac period) can change substantially from minute to minute betting on your state of activity, your state of stress, your state of hydration, and variety of other factors.
