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 pressureHow to measure bp
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 14 2009
Q: Why on the first reading is the systolic higher, sometimes almost ten points, the second reading is lower and the third is even lower? I read that having three readings is a good way to take a blood pressure reading. My BP monitor can average three measures taken within ten minutes.
A: Blood pressure is not constant. Taking blood pressure three times in a row, allows your pressure to stabilize to the setting. The average of the three readings represents your typical pressure. Click here for a guideline that explains proper BP measuring.
Tags: bp, measureing bp, measures, Measuring Your BP, systolic, taking blood pressure, three timesHypertension and anxiety
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 14 2009
Q: How do I know when I’m dealing with true hypertension rather than anxiety? Which indicates anxiety: diastolic or systolic or both?
A: If your blood pressure is high on more than one measurement, either systolic or diastolic, you have true hypertension. Hypertension needs treatments even if anxiety is playing a factor. Stress can elevate both systolic and diastolic pressure.
Tags: anxiety, Anxiety & Stress, blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, diastolic, hypertension, stress, systolic, systolic and diastolic pressureIsolated systolic hypertension and aging
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Mar 03 2009
Q: I am 88 years old and in very good health. The only medication I take is the awful one for high blood pressure. My blood pressure reading is in the area of the l60’s for systolic and in the 50’s for diastolic. What do you think?
A: As a normal part of aging, systolic pressure goes up and diastolic pressure goes down. We now know that systolic hypertension, when only the top number is elevated, is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke and should be treated. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is not a concern unless it causes symptoms such as dizziness or fainting.
Tags: heart disease, high blood pressure, hypertension, hypotension, Isolated Hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension, low blood pressure, systolicBlood pressure increased by stress and age
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 14 2009
Q: My blood pressure has always been around 120/70. I am 70 years old and in great health, don’t take any medication and exercise moderately. Last year we lost our child and grandson in an automobile accident. My BP is now running around 140-150/80. Will this return to normal as time passes or is this rise a permanent one that needs attention and medication?
A: It is every parent’s worse nightmare to outlive their children. Please accept my condolences. Your blood pressure is in the range where treatment is recommended. Systolic pressure goes up as a natural part of aging so it is unlikely this will go away. I suggest you consult with your doctor about the best treatment for you. RESPeRATE is a drug-free option to consider.
Tags: Anxiety & Stress, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, drug-free, systolicIsolated systolic hypertension and stroke
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 02 2009
Q: Can a blood pressure reading of 160/80 be high enough to cause a stroke or heart problem in a woman of 82?
A: It has been shown that treating isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly lowers the incidence of heart disease and stroke. When to treat any individual, is a decision that needs to be made in consultation with a physician.
For a full discussion go to http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/21/3/335
RESPeRATE effect on diastolic pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 19 2008
Q: After using Resperate for two months, I find that my systolic BP falls below 120. Diastolic and pulse remain in normal ranges. Is it possible that two 15 minute sessions is too much and can have an adverse affect? I am 80 years old and take no BP medication.
A: Diastolic pressure decreases with aging while systolic pressure increases. Because of this, systolic pressure elevation is a bigger problem in the elderly. It appears that the RESPeRATE is working well to keep your pressure in a normal range. Make sure to keep your doctor apprised of your home blood pressure readings between visits.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, diastolic, elderly, RESPeRATE, systolicSystolic and diastolic blood pressure spread
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 14 2008
Q: My diastolic and systolic numbers have a 60 point spread (pulse pressure) and sometimes more. I am not overweight, do not have diabetes or other risk factors. This high pulse pressure number occurred suddenly after an accident. Should I be concerned?
A: Pulse pressure is determined by subtracting your diastolic blood pressure from your systolic blood pressure. A pulse pressure of greater than 40 at rest is worrisome. You need to be evaluated by your physician to determine the cause. High pulse pressure may be a sign of hardening of the arteries, the side effect of a medication, or a sign of another condition such as hyperthyroidism.
Tags: blood pressure, Diabetes, diastolic, Misc, systolicSide effects of hypertension medicine
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 17 2008
Q: I am a 58 year old male and have BP 140 to 150 systolic and around 100 diastolic. I was given an antihypertensive pill but I don’t take it regularly. I just take it when my BP is over 160/100. Please enlighten me about the side effects of these anti-hypertensive pills.
A: Blood pressure of 140/90 or higher needs to be treated to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. It is best to take blood pressure medicine the way it was prescribed by your doctor. Usually side effects of blood pressure medication are minimal. The most worrisome are sexual side effects. If you experience an unacceptable side effect, you should talk to your doctor about changing medications. An alternative to treat high pressure that does not have side effects is the RESPeRATE.
Tags: Alternative, anti-hypertension, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, diastolic, heart attack, hypertension, medicine, RESPeRATE, sexual side effects, side effects, stroke, systolicPre-hypertension and intervention
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 10 2008
Q: My son is 20 yrs old and he gets constant headaches. His blood pressure runs 136/83. What should he do?
A: Your son needs to see his doctor and be evaluated. His blood pressure is in the prehypertension range as his systolic pressure is between 120-139mm Hg and his diastolic pressure is between 80-89mm Hg. Without intervention, he could develop high blood pressure.
Tags: Blood Pressure & Hypertension, diastolic, headaches, high blood pressure, intervention, pre-hypertension, prehypertension, range, systolic
