Can any one please explain to me what blood pressure numbers mean.
Today at the Drs, he said my bottom number on the BP was elevated. I don’t know what this means and what causes it.
Would like some info to help me understand it. He said it’s not a problem because it’s not continuous, every time I go. But it left me wondering what the numbers mean, what causes it and how can I reduce it.
What would have caused my higher number to be normal and my lower number elevated.
TIA
7 Replies
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-de...
The information in this chart is so outdated and wrong.
Both numbers are managed the same. Healthy diet, exercise, not smoking, reducing stress etc .
The top number measures the pressure in your veins when your heart is beating, so it shows how fast or slow your heart is pushing blood around your body.
The bottom measures the pressure in the veins when the heart is not beating, between beats and I think it gets higher as you age or are not healthy like obesity or diabetes. The top one is more a reflection of heart health. That's how I remember it when I learnt about it over 10 years ago. So I would say your doctor will just monitor it every visit now and make sure its not regular. If he wasn't bothered then relax or if it's really bothering you get a BP machine from the chemist and monitor it yourself, they should show you how and when to be concerned!
Thanks for this info, very helpful.
I'm 50years old and my BP is around 119/70. Very normal. Anything above 140/90 is considered elevated. Remember, exercise, racing thoughts , stress , even heat can all raise your BP..
It's all normal as long as the numbers come back down. It's more dangerous If your numbers are high on resting.
I found just the stress of having to drive in the city, and battle for parking, was enough to raise my BP at each appt.
Found a country Dr, readings are back to normal.