Understanding Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure is important. Do you wonder what the top and bottom blood pressure number means? Doctors call them systolic and diastolic. Systolic is the top number, while diastolic is the bottom.
When your heart beats, it pumps blood through your blood vessels, which carry blood to every part of your body. Blood pressure is simply the force that blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels. The events related to the flow of blood that occurs from one heartbeat to the next is called the cardiac cycle. Any problem in the cardiac cycle can cause high or low blood pressure.
So what does the systolic blood pressure number mean?
Systolic blood pressure is the amount of pressure that blood exerts on the arteries and the vessels while the heart is beating. A normal systolic blood pressure is below 120. Systolic blood pressure between 120 and 139 means you have prehypertension or borderline high blood pressure. A systolic blood pressure above 140 means you have hypertension or high blood pressure, which means you are at a risk of loping heart disease.
What does the diastolic blood pressure number mean?
Diastolic blood pressure is simply the pressure that blood exerts on the walls of the arteries in between heart beats and when the heart is relaxed. A normal diastolic blood pressure is less than 80. A diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89 indicates prehypertension, and a diastolic blood pressure above 90 is considered to be hypertension or high blood pressure, which means you are at risk of heart disease. While diastolic blood pressure is considered important in monitoring blood pressure of younger individuals, as the person’s age increases so does the importance of systolic blood pressure.
How often should you get your blood pressure checked?
If you have normal blood pressure (i.e., less than 120/80) you should get it checked every 2-3 years.
If your blood pressure is borderline high (i.e., systolic blood pressure between 120 and 139 or diastolic between 80 and 89) you should check your blood pressure at least every year or 6 months.
If you’re suffering from hypertension (i.e., systolic blood pressure above 140 or diastolic above 90) then you must visit our healthcare center, FRONTLINE ER in Richmond, Texas.
If you’re concerned about your blood pressure you can always visit FRONTLINE ER at any time.
It is crucial for you to monitor your blood pressure regularly, especially if you have symptoms such as:
- frequent headaches
- blurred vision
- dizziness
- shortness of breath
You must also keep in mind that most people suffering from hypertension have no symptoms at all, which is why it is also known as the silent killer.
FRONTLINE ER in Richmond, Texas is always here to take care of people. If you’re suffering from hypertension or borderline hypertension we recommend you call FRONTLINE ER at [geolifycontent id=”26138″] to access our quality service as fast as possible. You will not only get professional and reliable service, but will also minimize your wait times.
