Blood pressure is the force that moves blood through the circulatory system. This is an important force because without blood pressure, oxygen and nutrients are not pushed around the circulatory system to nourish tissues and organs.
Blood pressure depends on how much blood your heart pumps and the resistance to arterial blood flow. The more blood the heart pumps, the narrower the arteries and the higher the blood pressure. Blood pressure readings are in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). It has two numbers.
- Highest count (systolic blood pressure). The first or top number measures the arterial pressure as the heartbeats.
- Bottom numbers (diastolic). The second or lower number measures arterial pressure between each heartbeat.
Just as important as the supply of oxygen and nutrients is the delivery of fresh blood and the absorption of the toxic waste products of metabolism, including the carbon dioxide we exhale with each breath and the toxins we excrete through the liver and kidneys. In this article, we’ll be discussing the different types of blood pressure and their symptoms.
Hypertension
Hypertension(or high blood pressure) is a common condition in which the long-term force of blood on the walls of arteries is high enough to eventually lead to health problems, such as heart disease. Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even when blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels.
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Headaches
- Nosebleeds
You can have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke. Fortunately, high blood pressure is easy to spot. Once you know you have high blood pressure, you can manage it with your doctor.
Hypotension
Hypotension(or low blood pressure) is generally considered a blood pressure reading below 90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), a maximum (systolic), or a minimum of 60 mm Hg (diastolic). Causes of low blood pressure range from dehydration to serious medical conditions. It’s important to find out what’s causing your low blood pressure so you can treat it if necessary.
Symptoms
- Blurred or faded vision
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Lightheadedness or fainting
- Fatigue
- Inability to concentrate
- Nausea
- Confusion, especially in older adults
- Cold, clammy skin
- Loss of skin color (pale)
- Shortness of breath, shallow breathing
- Weak and fast pulse
Get emergency medical help if you have symptoms of very low blood pressure (low blood pressure) or shock.
Most healthcare providers consider low blood pressure only if it causes symptoms. The occasional slight dizziness or lightheadedness can be caused by many things, such as spending too much time in the sun or in a hot tub. It is important to see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis
If you don’t see your doctor regularly, you may be able to get free blood pressure screenings at a health care center or elsewhere in your community. You can also find machines that measure your blood pressure for free at some stores.
Public blood pressure machines, such as those found in pharmacies, may provide useful information about your blood pressure, but they may have some limitations. The accuracy of these machines depends on several factors such as correct cuff size and correct use of the machine