A question from ??RAE in N.Y.??: How do I read a high blood pressure fraction?
Last year, my high blood pressure was 130/90. I don’t know what that means. Now the doctor said that I have my high blood pressure on 130/100. Can anyone explain to me these numbers?
The No 1 answer:
Answer by aziz
the diastolic pressure is high, it should be preferably less than 90 mm of Hg, in your case it is 100, also see http://www.medicinenet.com/high_blood_pressure/article.htm
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The top number (130 in your case) is called the systolic pressure. This is the pressure, in millimetres of Mercury (mmHg) or how high the level of Mercury can be pushed up to in a sphygmomanometer, when your heart beats.
The lower number (90 or 100, in your case) is called the diastolic pressure. This is the pressure that your blood is under between heart beats. (That’s why it’s a lower number.)
An ideal blood pressure, dependent on your age and gender, would be around about 120/60-80 (that’s 120/60 to 120/80).
You appear to have a marginally high blood pressure reading, but a single reading is not usually enough for a doctor to prescribe you medication or, indeed, decide that you have raised blood pressure. (‘White coat syndrome’ is a well-known effect for some people, meaning that their blood pressure naturally rises when being tested by anyone in authority.) Stress, and exercise can also be reasons that your blood pressure might be raised. I’m sure your doctor will KNOW when, and if, you need treatment. (If you’re a smoker, or you’re overweight, this might also compound the ‘problem’, but your doctor should offer you whatever information you need to bring it back to ‘normal’.)
Be well, dear lady.
Hi Rae,
First, a blood pressure reading tells you how much resistance your blood encounters as it tries to flow through your veins. High blood pressure means that your heart is working harder to pump blood. If this continues, it can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or other diseases. This is why it’s important to know your numbers and control them.
Your blood pressure reading has two numbers. The first (130) is a systolic rate. It tells you how much pressure your blood flow is placing on your artery walls when your heart is pumping. The second number (100) is your diastolic rate. It tells you how much pressure is exerted while your heart is at rest between pumps.
“Normal” is a systolic rate less than 120, and a diastolic rate less than 80. Your systolic rate falls in what is called the pre-hypertension range, meaning it could be better and it’s time to make lifestyle changes. Your diastolic rate is quite high. It falls into the range of “hypertension,” the medical name for high blood pressure.
Please listen to your doctor, and start making changes now. Your body is giving you a warning. Please listen. You need to start monitoring your pressure at home. There is a lot of good information online.
OK, the top number (systolic) is the pressure when your heart beats and the blood is pressing against the walls of your arteries. The bottom number (diastolic) is your heart at rest and that’s the pressure of your blood at its lowest. Generally speaking there should not be a greater than 40 point difference between the two. (That’s not a rule, just a guideline)
So, your diastolic blood pressure is quite high. I certainly hope if this is your regular pressure your doc put you on medication and diet and that you are following his orders! If you are on meds to control the pressure you cannot skip even a single dose. Many doctors will also prescribe a low dose aspirin regime as well to prevent heart attacks.
Most persons with high pressure will buy a sphygomanometer (blood pressure machine) that fits on your upper arm or wrist and takes your pressure for you on a daily or weekly basis. You chart your readings and bring them to the doctor when you visit. This prevents accidental high pressure readings caused merely by visiting the doctor (which does occur in about 15% of patients. We call it ‘white coat syndrome) because of the fear of doctors (or what we’ll say, do or find) causes adrenaline to pour out raising your pressure temporarily.
But make no mistake: high blood pressure CAN lead to strokes even at an early age. It also can lead to kidney disease and other problems. If you have a weak spot in a blood vessel it can rupture causing an aneurysm or leak ( Think of a tire with a bubble and you overinflate it and the bubble blows out – only in this case your artery will leak blood into an area it shouldn’t and that can be fatal in seconds or minutes, or cause severe damage even if it’s a tiny leak).
Most persons with high blood pressure are overweight. If that’s the case, you need to ask the doc about an exercise program (do NOT attempt to create your own because you do NOT want your pressure shooting up any higher). Diet is absolutely vital!. Salt is a no no and high salt foods ( like most canned or prepared foods are sky high in sodium)
Just a warning: DO NOT buy meds over the Internet from just any site that promises to sell drugs! Most are overpriced junk that contain ‘extra’ additives including toxic substances, or have no medicine in them at all or are expired and dangerous. Internet drugs can KILL or put you in the hospital! Buy your drugs from pharmacy. If you can’t afford them, most manufacturers have ways for you to get your meds for free or at a real bargain.
Good luck to you!