Lawd ma Pressha! Part II ~ The Wadadlian Health Blog

Let's start off with a refresher...can you tell me the definition of blood pressure?

In my last post Lawd ma Pressha! Part I, a simple definition of hypertension/ high blood pressure was given, by first defining what blood pressure was:

"Blood pressure is the physical force of the blood flowing against the walls of our arteries"

From that concept we defined hypertension as "the sustained elevation of this physical force of the blood flow (in our arteries) above its normal value, that being below 120/80 millimetres of mercury(mmHg)."

That last bit though, about the normal value... is it understood?
When your mama comes back from the health centre and they tell her her pressure is 170/110 mmHg, does she understand what that number means?

This post will help you to put any confusion about blood pressure readings to rest, and offer an explanation to mama the next time around.

Let's begin....

Blood pressure is measured based on two values, the systolic reading and the diastolic reading, usually its written in a "systolic reading/diastolic reading" style.

The systolic reading is symbolized the top number of the full blood pressure reading, for example "110/80", and it represents the pressure of the blood flow against the arteries when the heart in contracting, whereas the diastolic reading which would be symbolized by the bottom number of the reading "110/80", represents the pressure of the blood flow against the arteries when the heart is relaxing and refilling itself with blood.

You may have noticed that my definition ended with 'normal range'. This is simply because for pressure to be considered abnormal it will be above a certain range. Check out the table below which marks the ideal range in green...

Please click the chart above to read more about each range.

If we apply the ranges in this chart into the context above, if your mama comes from the clinic and tells you that her pressure is 170/110 mmHg, what can you interpret this value as meaning?

Understanding the values taken at a hospital or clinic are important in self-evaluating the steps you may have to take in order to prevent hypertension or maintain your already healthy lifestyle, or helping mama who might lambase your cooking because she can't taste the salt, or Daddy Joe who only takes his pressure medications when he feels bad.

It must be mentioned for those who already suffer from this disease a further sub-classification is used for the Hypertensive/High blood pressure Category, which is above 140/90 mmHG.

courtesy www.socalmds.com

As you can see High Blood Pressure is further divided into Stages 1, 2 & 3. Consistent high readings in one of these three categories can classify you into a certain "hypertensive type".

Now that you are acquainted in a little more than general sense, to how blood pressure readings are classified. Use this theoretical understanding and apply it to your life, and enrich the lives of those loved ones who may not understand their readings.

Many people in Antigua and Barbuda, now invest in home blood pressure kits, which are electronic devices used to monitor blood pressure.

If you or an immediate family suffers from high blood and are without one, I would strongly suggest you make the investment, especially if you are in one of the upper stages of the disease.In the mean time, visit your local health clinic and get your blood pressure taken at regular intervals.

For those of you who are not screened, I encourage you to do so, at your local health clinic, especially if you have risk factors, that were mentioned in Lawd ma Pressha! Part I.