Blood pressure is one of the most important indicators of your health. Keeping it within the right levels is crucial to preventing serious problems like heart attacks or strokes. You may have heard about it, but do you really know what it means to have high or low blood pressure? In this article, I’ll explain it simply.
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force with which blood pushes against the walls of your arteries when your heart beats. It’s measured with two numbers:
- Systolic pressure: This is the higher number and measures the pressure when your heart pumps blood.
- Diastolic pressure: This is the lower number and measures the pressure when your heart is at rest between beats.
A normal blood pressure reading is typically around 120/80 mmHg. The first number (120) is the systolic pressure, and the second number (80) is the diastolic pressure. If these numbers start to go too high or too low, it’s time to pay attention.
What does it mean to have high blood pressure?
Having high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, happens when the numbers go above the recommended levels, generally above 140/90 mmHg. If you have hypertension and don’t manage it, it can damage your heart, kidneys, and increase your risk of heart attacks or strokes.
Some symptoms of high blood pressure include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
But be careful, many people have hypertension without showing any symptoms, so it’s important to check it regularly.
What if my blood pressure is low?
On the other hand, low blood pressure (hypotension) occurs when the numbers are below 90/60 mmHg. While it’s not as dangerous as high blood pressure, it can still cause discomfort. Common symptoms of low blood pressure include:
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Fainting
In many cases, low blood pressure can be managed by making small changes to your diet, like drinking more fluids or adding a bit more salt (but don’t overdo it).
Tips to keep your blood pressure in healthy levels
If you want to keep your blood pressure under control, here are a few tips that can help:
- Eat a healthy diet: Diet is key. Reduce salt and processed foods, and increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, and potassium-rich foods like bananas or spinach.
- Exercise regularly: At least 30 minutes of physical activity a day can do wonders for lowering your blood pressure.
- Avoid stress: Stress can temporarily raise your blood pressure. Relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga can help keep you calm.
- Don’t smoke and limit alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol are enemies of your blood pressure. If possible, cut them out or at least reduce them to a minimum.
- Control your weight: Being overweight can raise your blood pressure, so keeping a healthy weight is essential for staying in control.