Systolic Over Diastolic: What is Considered High Blood Pressure?
There are many conditions that can adversely affect the body. Some of these conditions could include cancer, diabetes, gout, etc. In addition, each condition manifests itself in the body in a particular way. This allows the physician to diagnose the condition and prescribe treatment.
Another condition that can affect the body is high blood pressure. High blood pressure can have extreme consequences if left undiagnosed and untreated. Therefore, it is important to know what is considered high blood pressure and what treatments are available for high blood pressure.
Things to Keep in Mind
When considering the question of what is considered high blood pressure it is first of all important to know what blood pressure is. Blood pressure is a combination of two measurements. These measurements reflect pressure of the blood as the blood flows against the walls of the arteries. The arteries are part of the cardiovascular system that transports the flow of blood that is oxygenated to organs and cells with the body.
The measurement of the pressure exerted against the walls of the arteries is reflected through the use of two numbers. The first number is called systolic and the second number is called diastolic.
Both measurements that comprise a person's blood pressure are important. The first number of the blood pressure measurement measures the pressure at its highest. This is known as the systolic measurement. The second measurement, diastolic, provides a measurement of the heart when it is not beating or at rest.
Therefore, the answer to the question of what is considered high blood pressure is a measurement of 140/90 or higher. In addition, there are two stages within what is considered high blood pressure. Those two stages are stage one and stage two. Stage one is defined as 150 to 159 over 90 to 99 and stage two is 160 or higher over 100 or higher.
Treatments for High Blood Pressure
If that individual has answered the question of what is considered high blood pressure and answers that question personally in the affirmative, there are a number of options available to treat high blood pressure. Two of those options are through medication and exercise.
If the physician and the patient choose medication as the choice for controlling hypertension, there are a number of options available. One of the medications that can be prescribed is a beta blocker medication. A beta blocker medication simply causes the heart to beat slower and therefore decrease the pressure exerted upon the arteries.
One additional type of antihypertensive medication is a vasodilator. The affect of the vasodilator simply causes the muscle in the walls of the arteries to relax. This in turn causes the arteries to widen which in turn decreases high blood pressure.
One non-medication method of decreasing high blood pressure is through exercise. This exercise, in consultation with a doctor, can strengthen the heart and thus help to reduce high blood pressure. Examples of moderate exercise could include walking, using a treadmill, bicycle, weightlifting, etc.
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