Blood pressure and heart rate explained
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Feb 12 2010
Q: Is Systolic blood pressure the same as the heart rate that you read when you are on the treadmill? Is your pulse different from BP or HR? You say that normal blood pressure shouldn’t increase when doing normal activities. Doesn’t blood pressure go up when you are exercising, or carrying something heavy?
A: Systolic pressure is the pressure in your arteries that occurs with the contraction of your heart. Diastolic pressure is the pressure in your arteries between heart beats. With each heart beat blood is forced through your arteries creating pulsations. The number of pulsations that occur in a minute is your pulse. As this reflects your heart rate, the terms are somewhat interchangeable. Blood pressure increases with activity but should remain within the normal range.
Tags: arteries, blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, bp, diastolic, diastolic pressure, heart, heart beat, Heart Health, heart rate, normal blood pressure, systolic, systolic blood pressure, systolic pressureWhat is an ideal blood pressure reading for a 66 year old?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 29 2008
Q: I am 66 years old. What should my blood pressure be?
A: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute defines normal blood pressure for adults as a systolic pressure of less than 120 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure as less than 80 mm Hg. In other words, your optimal blood pressure should be less than 120/80.
Tags: diastolic pressure, Heart Health, national heart lung and blood institute, normal blood pressure, optimal blood pressure, systolic pressureSystolic higher than diastolic
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 14 2008
Q: Is it possible for your systolic BP to become lower than your diastolic? What happens if it does?
A: Systolic blood pressure occurs when the ventricles of your heart contract so it is always the highest. Diastolic blood pressure occurs with the relaxation of the heart between contractions. If your heart can’t beat effectively enough to raise your systolic pressure above your diastolic pressure, you need to speak to a physician.
Tags: blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, contractions, diastolic, diastolic pressure, heart, heart beat, relaxation, systolic, systolic pressure, ventriclesNosebleeds and high diastolic blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Aug 09 2007
Q: Are nosebleeds a symptom of high diastolic BP?
A: Poorly controlled hypertension has been associated with nosebleeds. An association with an event is not the same as a symptom. There is not the same cause and effect relationship. Most people with high blood pressure do not have symptoms. Frequent nosebleeds need to be evaluated by a doctor.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, diastolic pressure, hypertension, nosebleeds, RESPeRATE, symptoms of high blood pressure, uncontrolled high blood pressure, uncontrolled hypertension
