What precisely should your blood pressure reading be?
After a visit to your physician you might still find yourself wondering just what your blood pressure should be. Luckily, for the vast majority of people the answer to this question is easy. Normal pressure is considered to be around 120 over 80 and if your pressure rises to 140 over 90 or higher it will be considered to be too high and you will most likely be put on medication and monitored closely. What is 'normal' for one person however is not necessarily normal for another and varies things like age, your diet, how much exercise you take and whether or not you are on any form of medication can mean that you have a normal pressure which is different from the average.
High blood pressure
If you are suffering from a medical condition, such as diabetes, your blood pressure may generally be in the region of 130 over 80 and your doctor may well consider that, with your diabetes, this pressure can be considered as being normal for you. Against a background of ongoing medical problems your doctor may feel that a specific program of diet and exercise, together perhaps with medication, is advisable to keep your pressure within normal limits.
High blood pressure is a serious condition and, even for people in otherwise good health, it can significantly increase the risk of suffering such things as a heart attack or a stroke. So, if you suspect that your pressure is high or rising you should schedule regular checks with readings being taken over a period of time for comparison. Your doctor can then work out your average pressure and decide whether any action needs to be taken.
If your pressure is near normal but beginning to increase then your doctor may simply recommend a program of diet and exercise to correct the problem. As little as 20 or 30 minutes of exercise 3 or 4 times a week and a sensible eating plan can have a marked effect on your blood pressure. For some people sodium intake can also be a major factor in their rising blood pressure and so your doctor might recommend a drastic reduction in your salt consumption.
In many cases the DASH diet, which is specifically designed to combat hypertension, has been shown to bring blood pressure levels down markedly within a matter of a few short weeks. The DASH diet encourages you to eat whole grains, fish, poultry, vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, nuts and legumes.
If you are not sure what your blood pressure should be discuss it with your physician and get his professional opinion. You will then need to check your pressure regularly and, if necessary, make some simple lifestyle changes if you do start to develop high blood pressure. Remember too that one of the best investments that any of us can make in our health these says is to purchase a blood pressure monitor for use at home.
High blood pressure
If you are suffering from a medical condition, such as diabetes, your blood pressure may generally be in the region of 130 over 80 and your doctor may well consider that, with your diabetes, this pressure can be considered as being normal for you. Against a background of ongoing medical problems your doctor may feel that a specific program of diet and exercise, together perhaps with medication, is advisable to keep your pressure within normal limits.
High blood pressure is a serious condition and, even for people in otherwise good health, it can significantly increase the risk of suffering such things as a heart attack or a stroke. So, if you suspect that your pressure is high or rising you should schedule regular checks with readings being taken over a period of time for comparison. Your doctor can then work out your average pressure and decide whether any action needs to be taken.
If your pressure is near normal but beginning to increase then your doctor may simply recommend a program of diet and exercise to correct the problem. As little as 20 or 30 minutes of exercise 3 or 4 times a week and a sensible eating plan can have a marked effect on your blood pressure. For some people sodium intake can also be a major factor in their rising blood pressure and so your doctor might recommend a drastic reduction in your salt consumption.
In many cases the DASH diet, which is specifically designed to combat hypertension, has been shown to bring blood pressure levels down markedly within a matter of a few short weeks. The DASH diet encourages you to eat whole grains, fish, poultry, vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, nuts and legumes.
If you are not sure what your blood pressure should be discuss it with your physician and get his professional opinion. You will then need to check your pressure regularly and, if necessary, make some simple lifestyle changes if you do start to develop high blood pressure. Remember too that one of the best investments that any of us can make in our health these says is to purchase a blood pressure monitor for use at home.
