{"id":15932,"date":"2020-08-31T19:01:01","date_gmt":"2020-08-31T18:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/opa.org.uk\/?p=15932"},"modified":"2021-01-21T19:03:20","modified_gmt":"2021-01-21T19:03:20","slug":"understanding-blood-pressure-readings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/opa-old.voidappsdev.uk\/?p=15932","title":{"rendered":"Understanding blood pressure readings"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Blood pressure is the force of a person&#8217;s blood pushing against their artery walls. A person&#8217;s blood pressure can become too low or too high. When it becomes too high, it can lead to potential health complications.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Often, people do not experience symptoms of\u00a0<a title=\"What to know about high blood pressure\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/159283.php\">high blood pressure<\/a>, or\u00a0<a title=\"Everything you need to know about hypertension\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/150109.php\">hypertension<\/a>. This means that it is important for people to get their\u00a0<a title=\"What is a normal blood pressure?\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/270644.php\">blood pressure<\/a>\u00a0checked regularly, particularly if they are older or have a history of heart complications.<\/p>\n<p>High blood pressure can also lead to other complications, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>eye problems<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Everything you need to know about stroke\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/7624.php\">stroke<\/a><\/li>\n<li>kidney failure<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Everything you need to know about heart disease\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/237191.php\">heart disease<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This article explains everything that a person needs to know about blood pressure readings and what they mean.<\/p>\n<h2>Systolic and diastolic<\/h2>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">A blood pressure measurement involves two numbers that indicate the amount of pressure the blood is exerting against the arteries&#8217; walls.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Systolic: This is the first number. This indicates the amount of pressure that the blood exerts against the artery walls as the heart contracts.<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Diastolic: This is the second number. This shows the amount of pressure that the blood exerts against the artery walls as the heart relaxes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">Both numbers are equally significant because they provide insight into a person&#8217;s heart health. However, doctors and healthcare professionals often give systolic blood pressure more attention as they consider it a\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/high-blood-pressure\/understanding-blood-pressure-readings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">major risk factor<\/a>\u00a0for cardiovascular disease in some people.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1.75em; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; color: #2e3192; font-family: 'PT Serif', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05em; line-height: 1.4em;\">The difference between blood pressure and pulse?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">Blood pressure refers to the force of blood against the artery walls, whereas a person&#8217;s\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" title=\"What is the pulse and how do I check it?\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/258118.php\">pulse<\/a>\u00a0indicates the number of times the heart beats per minute.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">A resting heart rate is when a person is sitting, lying down, or not engaged in an activity.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">An active heart rate is when a person is exercising or engaged in physical activity.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">Everyone has a slightly different resting heart rate, but the\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/high-blood-pressure\/the-facts-about-high-blood-pressure\/all-about-heart-rate-pulse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">average rate<\/a>\u00a0is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. A physically active person may have a heart rate as low as 40 beats per minute.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">Similarly to blood pressure, a person&#8217;s heart rate or pulse indicates how healthy the heart is.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1.75em; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; color: #2e3192; font-family: 'PT Serif', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05em; line-height: 1.4em;\">What is a normal reading?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">According to the\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/high-blood-pressure\/understanding-blood-pressure-readings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">American Heart Association (AHA)<\/a>, a normal blood pressure range is lower than 120\/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). When a person&#8217;s blood pressure is higher than the normal range, they may have elevated blood pressure or hypertension.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">A person&#8217;s blood pressure can also drop too low. A lower than normal blood pressure can also lead to health issues.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">If it drops too low, a person may feel\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/high-blood-pressure\/the-facts-about-high-blood-pressure\/low-blood-pressure-when-blood-pressure-is-too-low\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">faint, lightheaded, or dizzy<\/a>. If a person has consistently low readings, they should talk to their doctor.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1.75em; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; color: #2e3192; font-family: 'PT Serif', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05em; line-height: 1.4em;\">Blood pressure categories<\/h2>\n<h3 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1.4375em; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; color: #2e3192; font-family: 'PT Serif', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05em; line-height: 1.4em;\">Normal range<\/h3>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">According to the AHA, a normal blood pressure reading is no more than 120\/80 mm Hg. Consistently higher numbers may mean a person has elevated blood pressure or hypertension.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1.4375em; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; color: #2e3192; font-family: 'PT Serif', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05em; line-height: 1.4em;\">Elevated range<\/h3>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">An elevated blood pressure range occurs when a person has a systolic reading of between 120\u2013129 and a diastolic reading below 80.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">A person with elevated blood pressure is more likely to develop hypertension unless they take steps to lower it.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1.4375em; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; color: #2e3192; font-family: 'PT Serif', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05em; line-height: 1.4em;\">Hypertension: Stage 1<\/h3>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">A person who has stage 1 hypertension consistently has blood pressure readings of between 130\u2013139 systolic and 80\u201389 diastolic.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">A doctor will likely advise a person to make lifestyle changes and may also prescribe blood pressure medication to reduce the risk of having a\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" title=\"How to spot and treat a heart attack\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/151444.php\">heart attack<\/a>\u00a0or stroke.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1.4375em; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; color: #2e3192; font-family: 'PT Serif', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05em; line-height: 1.4em;\">Hypertension: Stage 2<\/h3>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">A person who has stage 2 hypertension consistently has blood pressure readings that are around 140\/90 mm Hg or higher.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">A person will likely need to take blood pressure medication and make lifestyle changes to help lower their blood pressure.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1.4375em; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; color: #2e3192; font-family: 'PT Serif', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05em; line-height: 1.4em;\">Hypertensive crisis<\/h3>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">A hypertensive crisis occurs if a person suddenly has a blood pressure reading of 180\/120 mm Hg. If this occurs, a person should wait for 5 minutes and remeasure their blood pressure. If the readings are still high, seek medical help from the doctor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">A person may be experiencing organ damage if the readings are high, and they develop these symptoms:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">shortness of breath<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">numbness or weakness<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">change in vision<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">chest pain<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\"><a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none;\" title=\"What is causing this pain in my back?\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/172943.php\">back pain<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">difficulty speaking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">If a person experiences these symptoms, they should call 911 immediately.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1.75em; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; color: #2e3192; font-family: 'PT Serif', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05em; line-height: 1.4em;\">When to see a doctor<\/h2>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">If someone is experiencing a hypertensive crisis, along with signs of organ failure, they should seek emergency medical help.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">A person with a history of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, or other cardiac issues should regularly see their doctor for blood pressure checks. They may also want to check their pressure at home regularly.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">A person should see their doctor if their blood pressure is higher than the normal readings to understand what the cause is and how to treat it.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1.75em; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; color: #2e3192; font-family: 'PT Serif', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05em; line-height: 1.4em;\">Summary<\/h2>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">People measure blood pressure using two numbers that represent the pressure the blood exerts on the arteries as the heart contracts and relaxes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">Doctors consider a person&#8217;s blood pressure to be in the normal range when they have readings consistently below 120\/80.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">Higher readings can indicate a person has elevated or hypertension. If left untreated, this can lead to cardiac issues.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">A person can make changes in their diet and exercise regime to help keep their blood pressure under control.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><em style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">This article is from Medical News Today &#8211;\u00a0<\/em><a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/327178.php?utm_source=#summary\">https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/327178.php?utm_source=#summary<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article explains everything that a person needs to know about blood pressure readings and what they mean&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":15933,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.9 - 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