When it comes to heart rate and blood pressure, numbers matter. Both blood pressure and heart rate are reported in numbers. Except you have dealt with them, you may not really know what those numbers mean. Even people who have had their blood pressure checked do not really understand the numbers. Most doctors tell their patients the bottom line: “It is high”, “You want to get it down to normal”, “You are okay”.
It is important to know exactly what the numbers are saying:
Blood Pressure numbers
Blood pressure numbers display as a high number over a lower number (e.g. 130/85). The top (higher) number is known as the systolic blood pressure which measures the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood into circulation. It is the greatest force at which the blood travels through the veins and arteries.
The bottom (lower) number is called the diastolic pressure, measuring the pressure when the heart is at rest: in between contractions. Thus, it is the lowest force at which the blood travels.
Blood pressure is determined by seeing how high the force of the blood pumping through the arteries in the arm can push a column of mercury. If the test records 120/80 (0ptimal BP), that means the blood pushed the mercury in the sphygmomanometer (BP measuring device) up to a height of 120mm when the heart contracted; and 80mm when it rested.
Blood Pressure Ranges
Optimal BP - 110-120/70-80
Normal BP – 130/85
High normal – 130-139/85-89
High BP – over 140/90
Severely high – over 180/115