What is blood pressure? What Should the Normal Value of Blood Pressure Be?

Pressure, or blood pressure, is the effect of the pressure on the arteries as the heart pumps blood. Blood pressure is one of the important indicators showing the health status of individuals. Although it is a controllable condition, blood pressure problems are common nowadays. While high blood pressure is closely associated with cardiovascular and some other diseases, low blood pressure is a condition that may require immediate medical attention. Chronic high blood pressure, a global health problem; It affects the heart, blood vessels, brain, eyes and kidneys. The drop in blood pressure can occur for temporary reasons, or it can be chronic due to health problems. Both conditions are life-threatening if necessary precautions are not taken or treatment is not provided. Genetic, environmental, and psychological factors can affect your blood pressure. A healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced and regular diet and physical activity reduces the risks of high blood pressure.

What is Blood Pressure?

“Arterial blood pressure”, that is, blood pressure, is the pressure created by the heart in the arteries (arteries) as it pumps blood to the body. This pressure is not constant, it decreases or rises throughout the day, depending on the movements of the heart during the pumping process. It is normal for blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day; However, if it is constantly above normal, it indicates high blood pressure. High blood pressure is also called "hypertension". The risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular diseases is directly proportional to the increase in blood pressure. Increased blood pressure progresses as high blood pressure, stage 1 hypertension, stage 2 hypertension, and hypertensive crisis according to certain blood pressure values:

• Consistently, systolic blood pressure is 130-139 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure is 85-89 mmHg indicates high blood pressure.
• 1. Stage hypertension is the period when systolic blood pressure is between 130-139 mmHg and diastolic pressure is between 85-89 mmHg.
• 2. Stage hypertension is when blood pressure is consistently 140/90 mmHg or higher.
• Blood pressure of 180/120 mmHg and above requires medical attention. Symptoms such as chest pain, changes in speech or vision, and shortness of breath indicate that you are experiencing a hypertensive crisis. It is also called “Hypotension”. Symptoms of hypotension occur when your body is unable to balance the drop in blood pressure. Often there are symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, fainting; however, it may not always give obvious symptoms. Symptoms can vary depending on the cause of the drop in blood pressure and how quickly it develops. For example, the drop in blood pressure that occurs when you stand up suddenly can happen to you due to hunger, thirst or extreme tiredness. But sudden drops in blood pressure can be life-threatening and you may need treatment. The causes of this type of hypotension can be:
  
  • Bleeding and blood loss
  • Low or high body temperature
  • Heart conditions causing heart failure
  • Serious blood infection (sepsis)
  • Severe watery dehydration from vomiting, diarrhea or fever
  • A serious allergic reaction

  What are the Types of Blood Pressure?

  There are 2 types of blood pressure values ​​and your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers in the measuring devices. These two numbers are systolic blood pressure, which is "systolic blood pressure," and diastolic blood pressure, which is "diastolic blood pressure." The first number is systolic blood pressure, which is of great value; the second number is the diastolic pressure, which is of small value. They are measured according to the contraction and resting state of the heart, and these values ​​give you information about your circulatory system. The diastolic and diastolic blood pressure is determined by the effects of the dynamic balance, including the central nervous system. These effects are:
  

  • The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute
  • The fluidity of the blood
  • The elasticity of the arteries may be.
  factors such as altitude, seasons, stress; body posture and emotional factors, which are physical factors, smoking, alcohol, obesity and nutrition; Other factors that cause blood pressure changes.

  What is High Blood Pressure?

  The medical name of high blood pressure is “systolic blood pressure”. This pressure indicates the magnitude of the pressure your blood exerts on the artery wall during a heartbeat. Elevated blood pressure is a value that shows how strongly the heart contracts. The i you see on the measuring devices The first number gives this pressure and is called systolic pressure. For example, in a situation where the blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, the number "120" indicates systolic blood pressure. If your blood pressure is high, it is usually high blood pressure that determines what stage of hypertension you are in.

  What is Small Blood Pressure?

  The heart exerts pressure on the arteries even when resting between beats. Known as "diastolic blood pressure" or diastolic blood pressure, this pressure is the force the heart exerts on the arteries between each beat. That is the pressure at which the heart relaxes before the next beat. The second number on the measuring devices indicates this pressure and is called diastolic pressure. For example, in a situation where the blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, the number "80" indicates diaphragmatic blood pressure. Even if the diastolic blood pressure is normal, your systolic blood pressure may be high. In this case, the systolic blood pressure is taken into account rather than the diastolic blood pressure.

  What Should the Blood Pressure Be?

  Blood pressure is one of the most frequently measured clinical parameters and its values ​​can be decisive in treatment decisions. Blood pressure is measured with a sphygmomanometer and is affected by factors such as age, diet, and presence of chronic disease. Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: values ​​known as systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Normal blood pressure values ​​are around 120/80 mmHg on average. This measurement is also expressed as 12 by 8. To obtain an accurate blood pressure measurement, measurements are taken at least three separate times and the average of two or more blood pressure measurements is taken into account. The precision of blood pressure measurement is important for diagnosis. It is important to control against the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Blood pressure problems can be corrected with early diagnosis and thus the negative effects on the body can be controlled.

  What is False Blood Pressure?

  Diagnosis and treatment cannot be decided by measuring blood pressure once. Because events during the day, exercises, eating and smoking can affect blood pressure values ​​and cause fluctuations. Therefore, making the measurements at different times and more than once gives more accurate results. Not every blood pressure rise may be hypertension. Misdiagnosis by measuring blood pressure or by a single measurement at such times can be placed. Therefore, you can receive treatment even if you do not have hypertension. This condition is called “false blood pressure”. In addition, stress can trigger an increase in blood pressure, and this phenomenon is called “psychological tension”. The rise in blood pressure seen during stressful times during the day explains this picture.

  Pregnancy Blood Pressure

  During pregnancy, the mother's body undergoes many physiological changes for the development of the baby. The mother's increased blood volume and the baby's requirements affect blood pressure. Normal blood pressure values ​​of pregnant women should be around 120/80 mmHg on average. High blood pressure in pregnancy is common and its treatment is important during and after pregnancy. High blood pressure in pregnancy can take two forms: chronic hypertension and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Chronic hypertension is hypertension that was present before pregnancy. Pregnancy-induced hypertension is normal blood pressure in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy followed by 140/90 mmHg or higher in the second half of pregnancy. Gestational hypertension occurs only when you have high blood pressure, without heart-kidney problems. However, some women with gestational hypertension have an increased risk of developing chronic hypertension in the future. The risks of high blood pressure for the mother are;
  

  • Preeclampsia (pregnancy poisoning)
  • Stroke
  • The need for cesarean delivery.
  Conditions that may develop due to high blood pressure in the mother and are risky for the baby;
  
  • Premature birth
  • Less blood flow to the placenta
  • Growth retardation and low birth weight.
  Preeclampsia occurs when a woman who previously had normal blood pressure suddenly develops high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and other problems after 20 weeks of pregnancy. However, preeclampsia is sometimes seen in women who had chronic hypertension before pregnancy. Preeclampsia; It can cause damage to vital organs such as the kidneys, liver and brain, and if left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening risks for the mother and baby (1). Low blood pressure is less common during pregnancy and may be directly related to pregnancy. Enlargement of the circulatory system during pregnancy can slightly lower blood pressure. In addition, diabetes, heart problems, malnutrition, infections and Excessive dehydration can also cause low blood pressure. Against the possible risks of high and low blood pressure for the mother and the baby:
  
  • You should have regular check-ups before and during pregnancy.
  • You should not start or stop any medication before consulting your doctor.
  • You should regulate your diet and lifestyle.
  • You should also monitor your blood pressure in the postpartum period and consult your doctor in case of any symptoms.

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