Blood pressure what do the two numbers mean

This specialty looks at the overall functioning of your body and how a problem in one area can affect your overall health. Our internists are also experts at treating patients who have multiple chronic diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, allergies and high cholesterol. Are you interested in more information on high blood pressure? General Posts , Osteoporosis. March 30 The results are usually expressed as one number over the other. Do you know what these numbers mean?

To fully understand how these numbers affect your heart, we have to take a brief journey through your circulatory system. How does your circulatory system work? What do the numbers on your blood pressure reading mean? Can Certain Foods Cause Migraines? However, having severely low blood pressure comes with its own sets of risks and can indicate other underlying health issues.

Having a blood pressure that is too low may indicate that your body and heart are not being supplied with enough oxygenated. This can be dangerous as it can cause dizziness, weakness and fainting which can lead to injury from falls, and in severe cases, hypotension can be life-threatening, leading to damage of your heart and brain.

The causes of low blood pressure can range from dehydration and malnutrition to serious medical disorders including heart problems, severe infection, anaphylaxis, or as a result of certain medications you may be taking, among others.

If you have low blood pressure it is important to see your doctor to find out what is causing your hypotension so that it can be treated. All visitors are required to show proof of a full COVID vaccination or a negative PCR test with a specimen date within 72 hours of patient visitation.

Learn more. Skip to content. What is blood pressure? What is a healthy blood pressure? What if my blood pressure is below the normal range? Our website uses cookies This website uses cookies to give you the very best experience. Your continued use of this site is considered permission by you to use cookies in this manner.

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Elevated blood pressure is when readings consistently range from systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. People with elevated blood pressure are likely to develop high blood pressure unless steps are taken to control the condition.

Hypertension Stage 1 is when blood pressure consistently ranges from systolic or mm Hg diastolic. At this stage of high blood pressure, doctors are likely to prescribe lifestyle changes and may consider adding blood pressure medication based on your risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease ASCVD , such as heart attack or stroke.

At this stage of high blood pressure, doctors are likely to prescribe a combination of blood pressure medications and lifestyle changes. This stage of high blood pressure requires medical attention. If your readings are still unusually high, contact your doctor immediately. You could be experiencing a hypertensive crisis. Call We can win the battle against heart disease and stroke — but only with your help.

Give a gift that saves lives. Your blood pressure numbers and what they mean Your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers:. Typically, more attention is given to systolic blood pressure the first number as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease for people over In most people, systolic blood pressure rises steadily with age due to the increasing stiffness of large arteries, long-term buildup of plaque and an increased incidence of cardiac and vascular disease.

However, either an elevated systolic or an elevated diastolic blood pressure reading may be used to make a diagnosis of high blood pressure. According to recent studies, the risk of death from ischemic heart disease and stroke doubles with every 20 mm Hg systolic or 10 mm Hg diastolic increase among people from age 40 to The abbreviation mm Hg means millimeters of mercury. Mercury was used in the first accurate pressure gauges and is still used in medicine today as the standard unit of measurement for pressure.

While both are indications of health, blood pressure and heart rate pulse are two separate measurements.