Expected Levels of Diastolic and Systolic Blood Pressure

The actual order that the numbers in a blood pressure reading are given is systolic over diastolic. The systolic pressure is higher, because it is the reading taken whilst the heart actually pumps or beats and the diastolic pressure is lower because it is taken when the heart sucks in a new volume of blood to pump around.

There are approximate figures that people quote as 'regular', but there is no clear, definitive consensus what these numbers are. In the west, most books will say that any reading under 120/80 is good. However, there are numerous medical personnel who will say that 140/80 does not need treatment, other than to lose a few pounds, if you are over weight.

This makes it very problematic for the unqualified person to ascertain for him or herself, whether his or her blood pressure is satisfactory or not. Blood pressure monitors are very reassuring, very accurate yet not costly these days, but how can you interpret the data they give you, if not every medical expert has the same point of view?

Maybe the only method to get the most sense of this data is to go along to your general practitioner with your blood pressure monitor and discuss its findings with your doctor. Your doctor can use his or her sophisticated equipment and verify it with yours then your doctor can give you a couple of figures that can be expected for someone like you.

I say this because there are several things that can affect blood pressure. In fact, actual blood pressure varies with each beat of the heart, so your blood pressure can be different every time you take it, which is why a BP monitor takes the average (or the maximum) during, say, a two minute period.

Factors that can (and frequently do) have an effect on blood pressure are:

The 'White Coat Effect': some people's BP soars by as much as 25-50 points when they go into a doctor's surgery. This could be anxiety or it could be fear of doctors, and it is a documented difficulty.

Mood: fear, anger, depression and anxiety can upset your blood pressure.

Age: your age has a bearing on your BP.

Weather: the temperature and the humidity affects BP

Stress: stress, restlessness, lack of sleep and tiredness can affect the levels of your blood pressure.

Diet: which foodstuffs and beverages you have recently eaten have an effect as do whether you are constipated or merely 'full'.

Smoking: smoking and drinking alcohol affect blood pressure.

Exercise: your physical condition, your metabolism and the amount of exercise you take are also factors.

Time of the Day: for all the above reasons and more, the time of the day that you take the reading has an impact, which is why it is a good thing to have your own blood pressure monitor at home. Then you can measure your BP at definite times of the day and compare the results with the hoped for levels of diastolic and systolic blood pressure given you by your physician.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece writes on a number of topics, but is currently concerned with work on high blood pressure charts. If you would like to know more or check out some great offers, please go to our website at High Blood Pressure Recipes.