We always hear the words “blood pressure” every time have ourselves checked up in school or in hospitals and then the doctor or nurse for that matter would give us a reading of 120/80 then he would say that it is normal. We then go nod our heads and would say that “Thanks, it is normal.” But do we really know why that reading is normal? Actually the 120/80 reading is an ideal one. It is like the threshold or benchmark. Deviations from that reading would give you a notion or would let your prescribe you some medicines already for your maintenance.
Have you ever wondered as to how they
A sphygmomanometer is very essential in getting your blood pressure. This is absolutely a
painless test. This gadget or equipment is consists of a gauge that is attached to a cuff. This cuff is an
inflatable one that is wrapped around your upper arm. A partner of this is a stethoscope that is being
used to listen as the blood moves through the artery. The cuff will be inflated to a pressure that is higher
than your systolic blood pressure. Then, it is gradually released. There will be two sounds that will be
heard. The first one is known to be the systolic blood pressure and the second one is the diastolic blood
pressure. The systolic blood pressure is usually said first and then the diastolic one. Blood pressure is
measure in mm Hg or millimetres of mercury.
A normal systolic pressure is below 120. Normally, for systolic pressures of 121 to 139, this
means that you have a prehypertension. This is the borderline to high blood pressure. Even though it is
“pre” this should still be taken seriously for people who have this are at a higher risk of developing heart
diseases. It is already considered hypertension when the systolic blood pressure is 140 or even higher.
With this, seek for your doctor’s advice as immediately as you can. On the other hand, a diastolic blood
pressure of 79 to 89 indicates prehypertension as well and above 90 is considered high blood pressure
If your blood pressure falls in the normal level that would be less than 120/80 you may have
your blood pressure checked every two years or more frequently depending on your doctor. For blood
pressures on the borderline, blood pressures should be checked every year or more often depending on
the doctor. If blood pressure is 140/90 or even higher, talk with your doctor already because this needs
Even though we do not know how to get one’s blood pressure, we need to know the reason
behind the numbers that are being said to us; although it is a lot better when we know how to
read blood pressure monitors. Each of us needs to know the best ways by which we can prevent
hypertension so as much as possible, we need to seek help from the people whose advices are reliable.
Let us always take good care of our hearts and health!