Hypertension
Our blood moves through our arteries and veins with every pump of our heart, oxygenating our cells and maintaining life. Being forced through relatively small vessels naturally places blood under a certain amount of pressure. We measure this pressure using two numbers, represented as one over the other and expressed in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). The upper number reflects the systolic pressure, the force of the flow. The number below represents the diastolic pressure, the extent of resistance to the flow through our blood vessels. The force of the flow (systolic) is generally higher than the resistance encountered (diastolic).
A healthy reading ranges from 90/60mmHg to 120/80mmHg. Consistently higher measurements, particularly those of 140/90mmHg or over, are considered too high (unless you’re over 80 years old). In this case, your doctor may diagnose hypertension, a severe and often chronic condition warranting serious attention and ongoing treatment.
The importance of Blood Pressure Monitoring
Don’t underestimate the importance of maintaining healthy blood pressure. Unmanaged high blood pressure, or hypertension, damages your health in the following ways:
Increases strain on vessels and organs: Not only does unnaturally high blood pressure place extraordinary strain on your arteries, but it also puts your heart, kidneys, eyes and brain under dangerous pressure.
Creates life-threatening conditions: This prolonged strain on your organs and systems increases your risk of developing severe disease. Chronic and often terminal outcomes include kidney disease, strokes, cardiac arrest, coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic heart failure, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), aortic aneurysm and a form of dementia.
Causes debilitating loss of function: Persistent hypertension can lead to loss of vision, reduced libido in women and erectile dysfunction in men, significantly impacting quality of life.
Although consequences are alarming, research shows that even slight decreases in blood pressure can positively benefit patients. The surest way to avoid long-lasting damage is to see your health practitioner to understand your risks and manage them. Don’t procrastinate; book your blood pressure assessment in NZ today.