Normal blood pressure, High and Low: Causes, Symptoms

Choose the content to read

• What is normal blood pressure?
• What is the normal blood pressure level by age?
• How to measure blood pressure at home?
• What causes high blood pressure?
• What causes low blood pressure?
• What should I do if I have high blood pressure?
• What should I do if my blood pressure reaches 200?

Normal Blood Pressure

What is normal blood pressure?

Normal blood pressure for individuals aged 18 years and over is generally below 120/80 mm Hg, with the upper number (systolic blood pressure) between 120-129 mm Hg and the lower number (diastolic blood pressure) between 80-84 mm Hg, as in the following blood pressure table below.

BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORIES

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the pressure inside the arteries during maximal heart muscle contraction and relaxation to pump the oxygenated blood to circulate throughout various parts of the body. A blood pressure reading consists of 2 numbers:

1. The upper number (systolic blood pressure) is the arterial blood pressure during maximal heart muscle contraction.
2. The lower number (diastolic blood pressure) is the arterial blood pressure during maximal heart muscle relaxation.

What is the normal blood pressure level by age?

NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE BY AGE

How to measure blood pressure at home?

The primary purpose of taking blood pressure readings at home is to track and manage blood pressure levels to gather and send personal health information to the doctor for diagnosis and treatment. To measure blood pressure at home, individuals must prepare the measuring device, an automatic blood pressure monitor, follow the correct steps, and measure blood pressure for at least 7 consecutive days, divided into 2 periods: 1.) after waking up in the morning and 2.) before going to bed at night, following the steps below.

• Measure blood pressure in the morning 2 times consecutively within 1 hour of waking up or after urinating, leaving a one-minute gap.
• Measure blood pressure 2 times before going to bed, 2 times consecutively, leaving a 1-minute gap.
• Sit on a chair for 5 minutes before measuring blood pressure, with your back against the backrest to prevent back strain; place both feet flat on the floor to feel relaxed; and do not cross your legs, clench your fists, talk, or move around.
• Measure blood pressure on the non-dominant arm or the arm with higher blood pressure, placing your arm at the same level as your heart.
• To measure your blood pressure before bed, you should sit and rest for at least 30 minutes and 1 hour after eating dinner, exercising, doing strenuous activities, smoking, or drinking tea or coffee.

What causes high blood pressure?

High blood pressure can stem from numerous factors, both known and unknown, such as aging, genetics, stress, smoking, alcohol consumption, eating foods high in sodium and salt, not exercising, and not getting enough sleep, and specific illnesses or ailments, including diabetes, obesity, high blood fat, thyroid disease, chronic kidney disease, or sleep apnea, as well as the use of specific medications and pregnancy. If the causes are not known, it is primary hypertension. Secondary hypertension is hypertension with known underlying conditions and is curable once the causes are treated. Examples of secondary hypertension are:

• Primary hyperaldosteronism (e.g., Conn’s syndrome)
• Pheochromocytoma (catecholamine-secreting tumor)
• Cushing’s syndrome (excess cortisol)
• Acromegaly (excess growth hormone)
• Renal artery stenosis (narrowing of the arteries supplying the kidneys)
• Coarctation of the aorta (congenital narrowing of the aorta)

High blood pressure symptoms that should urgently see a doctor

Hypertensive crisis is blood pressure over 180/110 mmHg associated with the following symptoms and is considered a medical emergency. An individual should be transported to the hospital immediately.

• Sudden severe headache
• Severe chest pain, pain in the middle of the chest like heavy objects pressing on the chest
• Chest pain that radiates the jaw and left arm, along with symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, sweating, and trouble breathing (Dyspnea)
• Sudden or severe chest pain or abdominal pain and/or radiating to the back
• Rapid, shallow breathing; difficulty breathing; shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat
• Difficulty speaking, slurred speech, confusion, dizziness
• Blurred vision, double vision
• Numbness and weakness in the arms and legs, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden headache with tightness in the back of the neck, nausea, and vomiting
• Easy fatiguability
• Seizures

What causes low blood pressure?

Low blood pressure can stem from various factors, including dehydration, pregnancy, blood loss, heart problems, thyroid problems, severe allergies, severe infections, or malnutrition, as well as certain medications, such as diuretics, Parkinson's drugs, or some antidepressants. Sudden low blood pressure can also be caused by a sudden change in posture, such as from lying down to sitting, as well as aging, diabetes, or neurological disorders.

Low blood pressure symptoms that should urgently see a doctor

A sudden hypotension episode (<90/60 mm Hg) associated with shock and unconsciousness is considered a medical emergency. An individual should be transported to the hospital immediately.

• Severe and persistent dizziness, especially when standing up or changing positions
• Fainting, unconsciousness
• Confusion, disorientation, lack of concentration
• Rapid and shallow breathing
• Cold, moist skin, pale skin
• Chest pain
• Nausea, vomiting
• Blurred vision, double vision
• Arrhythmia

What should I do if I have high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is controllable by changing lifestyles and habits, such as eating heart-healthy foods, exercising regularly, maintaining a normal weight, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and relieving stress. However, those with persistent high blood pressure should consult a doctor for a thorough diagnosis to consider taking medication to lower and control blood pressure, as well as planning a personalized treatment plan if the doctor finds a disease or underlying cause of high blood pressure to prevent possible complications, such as heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke, etc.

What should I eat to reduce high blood pressure?

Foods that individuals with high blood pressure should eat to manage high blood pressure include green leafy vegetables, sour fruits, whole grains rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, as well as lean protein sources, low-fat dairy products, and nuts and seeds that contain good fats, fiber, and magnesium that help control and reduce blood pressure. Furthermore, individuals should choose cooking oils such as olive oil or avocado oil instead of saturated and trans fats. Additionally, you should also limit your daily intake of sodium, saturated fat, and sugar as well.

What should I do if my blood pressure reaches 200?

Blood pressure over 200 mm Hg or higher is considered a medical emergency that requires immediate hospitalization, particularly if you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, or stroke-like symptoms, such as numbness, blurred vision, double vision, extreme weakness, or difficulty speaking. Call 1669 (Thailand) immediately or call the hospital emergency department right away.

If you are symptom-free, sit still for a few minutes and measure your blood pressure again. If your blood pressure remains high even without symptoms, you should not lower your blood pressure yourself at home. Instead, you should seek a doctor at the hospital right away to get a thorough diagnosis to find the true cause.

Emergency Department, MedPark Hospital, Call 02-090-3119 (24 hours.)

Related Article

• Blood Pressure Readings