Is your blood pressure normal?

Blood pressure refers to the force exerted on the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood throughout the body. When arteries are well dilated and in good health, blood flows with ease hence the heart is not overworked. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • When arteries are well dilated and in good health, blood flows with ease hence the heart is not overworked. However, if the arteries are stiff or too narrow, blood pressure increases and the heart becomes overburdened. 
  • If this happens the arteries are at a risk of getting damaged. Normally, blood pressure goes up and down all through the day. But, if it remains on the higher side for a long time, it can result in health problems.
  • Hypertension can cause complications such as stroke and heart attacks if left untreated.

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure is a condition whereby a person’s blood pressure is constantly elevated above the normal level, usually above 140/90mmHg (millimeters of mercury).

Blood pressure refers to the force exerted on the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood throughout the body.

When arteries are well dilated and in good health, blood flows with ease hence the heart is not overworked. However, if the arteries are stiff or too narrow, blood pressure increases and the heart becomes overburdened. 

If this happens the arteries are at a risk of getting damaged. Normally, blood pressure goes up and down all through the day. But, if it remains on the higher side for a long time, it can result in health problems.

Hypertension can cause complications such as stroke and heart attacks if left untreated.

As explained by Dr Evelyn Mbugua,, hypertension cannot be completely cured but with treatment, healthy diet, and lifestyle modifications, hypertension can be controlled.

 

Dear doc,

What is the difference between diastolic and systolic blood pressure?

Eugene

 

Dear Eugene,

Usually, readings for blood pressure appear as two numbers, i.e. systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the first and top number that measures pressure in the arteries when the heart beats to pump blood. Diastolic pressure is the bottom number that measures pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.

Diastolic pressure indicates how strongly the arteries resist blood flow. Take an example, if your blood pressure reads 120/80mmHg, it means that the systolic pressure is 120mmHg and diastolic pressure is 80mmHg. The normal blood pressure is less than 120/80mmHg while readings above 140/90mmHg indicate hypertension.

BP readings between 121/81 and 139/89 are classified as pre-hypertension. This means the patient is at risk for developing hypertension but this can be delayed or prevented by diet and lifestyle modification.

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Dear doc,

How can I know when my blood pressure is high?

Becky.

 

Dear Becky,

Hypertension may only be diagnosed during routine medical checkups or as part of other medical examinations. If the blood pressure is very high, you may experience chest pain, nose bleeds, abnormally severe headaches, dizzy spells, and breathing difficulty. Visit a doctor for evaluation if you experience any of these symptoms.

Adults should have their blood pressure checked at least once in a year. It is advisable that one pays special attention to their blood pressure if they possess certain risk factors such as having a close relative who has hypertension, live an inactive lifestyle, or are obese.

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Dear doc,

My relative was diagnosed with secondary hypertension. Please explain what this means.

Jimmy.

Dear Jimmy,

Secondary hypertension refers to high blood pressure as a result of another medical condition. Primary hypertension usually does not have an obvious cause though it is associated to factors like obesity, poor eating habits and genetics. Conditions such as kidney or thyroid problems, and use of medications like birth control pills can also contribute. It can also occur in pregnancy. With secondary hypertension, the blood pressure levels usually go back to normal or are considerably lowered once the underlying problem is properly treated.

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Dear doc,

I have not had my blood pressure measured before. How is it done and is the process painful?

Nancy.

 

Dear Nancy,

Blood pressure measurement is an important medical test. The process is usually short and not painful. A device known as sphygmanometer is used to measure blood pressure. The doctor or nurse places a cuff around upper arm and inflates it by closing the regulator and squeezes the pump until blood circulation in the arm stops for some seconds. A stethoscope is placed inside the elbow.

The regulator is opened and slowly releases the pressure from the cuff. The doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to the pulsing sound produced as the blood starts to flow back through the arm.

The first pulse that is heard is recorded from the gauge. It indicates the systolic blood pressure. The number recorded when the sound disappears is the diastolic blood pressure. Digital blood pressure monitors are also available.

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Dear doc,

My sister has pre-eclampsia and is it a serious condition?

Mama Briana.

 

Dear Mama Briana,

Pre-eclampsia is a complication  after the first trimester of pregnancy.

The initial symptom is an increase in blood pressure (above 140/90mmHg). Other signs and symptoms may include presence of protein in the urine, vision changes, severe headaches, pain in the upper abdomen, nausea or vomiting, and shortness of breath.

Eclampsia occurs when preeclampsia becomes severe and a woman starts to develop seizures.

If not treated, preeclampsia can result into serious complications which include premature delivery, slow growth, the mother may experience clotting and bleeding disorders or problems with the kidney and liver.

Pregnant women with preeclampsia require close monitoring by the doctor and frequent antenatal visits as well as several tests to ensure that the baby grows to maturity.

The condition is usually cured once the baby is born whereby the blood pressure is expected to go back to normal levels in a few weeks.

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KNOW YOUR BODY

The circulatory system is an organ system that comprises the heart, blood, and blood vessels. Its role is to transport oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide and hormones to and from the cells in the body.

 

Blood

Blood is the fluid part of the circulatory system. It consists of a solid part (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets) and the liquid part (plasma). 

The red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the cells. The plasma is responsible for transporting blood cells, nutrients and wastes. The white blood cells on the other hand make up the immune system that fights diseases and infections while the platelets aid in blood clotting.

 

Heart    

The heart is a muscle that pumps blood around the body by contracting. It is divided into four chambers: right auricle, right ventricle, left auricle, and left ventricle. In addition it has a series of valves that open to allow blood flow from one chamber to the next while inhibiting back flow. The contractions of the chambers are felt as heartbeats.

 

Blood Vessels

The arteries, capillaries and veins are collectively referred to as blood vessels. The arteries carry blood rich in oxygen from the heart to body cells. They are charactesed by thick, elastic muscular walls.

 In contrast, veins carry oxygen deficient blood from the body cells back to the heart. They are thin, non-elastic and contain valves to prevent backflow of blood

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels that link arteries and veins. They do not contain valves. Most importantly, capillaries provide the surface where the exchange of materials occurs between the blood and body cells.

 

Blood Flow

Deoxygenated blood that is loaded with carbon dioxide enters the right atrium from all parts of the body. This blood appears dull red in colour. The right atrium contracts forcing blood into the right ventricle. Once in the right ventricle blood is directed to pulmonary arteries, which carry blood to the lungs. In the lungs, the blood gets rid of the carbon dioxide and is in turn enriched with oxygen. The blood now changes colour from dull red to bright red. It is then taken back to the heart through special veins called pulmonary veins.

The left atrium, receives the oxygenated blood from the lungs. This atrium forces the blood through into the left ventricle. The left ventricle squeezes blood out of the heart through the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body.

Since the left ventricle is the one responsible for pumping blood through this apparently long distance, it has the strongest muscles. The aorta divides into numerous minor arteries to facilitate distribution of oxygen throughout the body.

 

Diseases associated with circulatory system

They include: hypertension, varicose veins, atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. Hypertension is brought about by high blood pressure damaging the arteries. It can be managed by regulating the blood pressure. Its risk factors comprise high salt diet, obesity and diabetes.

Varicose veins appear as swollen enlarged veins and usually occur on the legs. Varicose veins are caused by failure of valves inside the veins to function properly. The risk factors include pregnancy, old age, and obesity.

Atherosclerosis refers to the hardening of the arterial walls resulting to a blockage in the blood flow. The blockage can be caused by an accumulation of cholesterol, fats, and calcium on the arterial walls. This hardening narrows the arteries and may eventually result to stroke and heart attack. The risk factors include obesity, smoking and high blood pressure.

Heart attack is caused by lack of blood supply to the heart as a result of narrowed arteries. Stroke on the other hand is brought about by disruption of blood supply to the brain.