Blood pressure and heart rate play close roles in most people's minds. After all, these two vital signs are usually measured at the same time in the doctor's office.
But each measures different factors about your heart health. Blood pressure is the force of blood flowing against the walls of your arteries; heart rate - that is, pulse - is the number of times your heart contracts and relaxes every minute.
However, there are some misconceptions about these two.
1. Blood pressure and heart rate are always linked
False: Blood pressure and heart rate can often rise and fall, that is, they are variable. For example, when you are faced with danger, your blood pressure and pulse may go up at the same time. However, if your heart rate increases, this does not automatically mean that your blood pressure will rise - or vice versa.
Tracing in different directions may also indicate a disease. For example, if you are dehydrated, bleeding, or have a serious infection, blood pressure typically drops and heart rate increases.
2. Normal for blood pressure and heart rate always have a constant value.
Myth: There are rules, but what is normal varies from person to person.
Optimal blood pressure is typically 120 mm Hg systolic. - that is, the pressure at which your heart contracts and pumps blood to the body - 80 mm Hg diastolic - - is defined as the pressure at which the heart relaxes. The target for your resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (BPM).
Keep in mind that heart rate and blood pressure may vary from person to person. You need to work with your doctor to find out what values are normal for you.
3. A low pulse or blood pressure always indicates a problem.
False: What is healthy for one person may indicate danger for another. For example, a person's pulse rate may be around 50 or even 40 if he or she is constantly exercising and sitting during the measurement. This is not actually a bad thing.
Low blood pressure can be more dangerous, especially in older patients and those with heart disease. However, in those who do not have any health problems during the checks, the low blood pressure value indicates that the person feels well. If you feel it, it's not a problem.
4. High blood pressure is more dangerous than a high heart rate.
True: Again, what is considered normal varies. However, there is ample evidence that high blood pressure increases the risk of stroke and heart attack. The physical effects of high blood pressure have negative effects on your blood vessels. Essentially, for every 20 mmHg increase above 115 mmHg systolic, the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease doubles
A high heart rate can also be a danger sign, but the cause-and-effect relationship is very it is not clear. Studies show that people with higher resting heart rates are more likely to experience heart problems and premature cardiac death. . The most common reason for a high resting rate is low fitness, that is, an irregular lifestyle.
5. Accurate measurement
Accurate: Choose a reliable and repeatable time interval to measure your resting heart rate and blood pressure. Ideally, mornings before taking medication and before dinner are suitable times. Measurements taken immediately after exercises will give inaccurate results.
If you cross your legs during the measurement, your systolic blood pressure may be 10 mm Hg higher. That's why you should lean back, wait at least 5 minutes and measure your blood pressure. Most blood pressure monitors will also measure your pulse. But in the case of atrial fibrillation, the sensitivity of this method decreases. In this case, the best method to measure the heart rate is to listen to the heartbeat through the chest wall.
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