Supporting a Healthy Heart
Your blood pressure can give good insight into your overall health, but what do those numbers actually mean? From understanding your reading to recognizing when levels may be too high or too low, knowing the basics of blood pressure can help you take a more active role in your health. Here, we explore the basics of blood pressure with help from experts in the field.
What is Blood Pressure?
Every time your heart beats, it pumps blood into a large artery called the aorta, connected to other arteries that deliver oxygen and nutrients to all the organs and tissues throughout your body.
“Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts against the walls of the arteries throughout the body,” says Dr. Neal Miller, cardiologist at The Chattanooga Heart Institute. “Lower blood pressure means that the arteries are more compliant, whereas higher blood pressure indicates that your arteries are stiffer.”
Your blood pressure changes throughout the day depending on what you’re doing. Exercise and excitement can cause your blood pressure to go up, while resting can cause it to lower. Blood pressure can also change when taking certain medications and with age.
Why is a Healthy Blood Pressure Important?
Maintaining a healthy blood pressure helps ensure that your organs and tissues receive the oxygen and nutrients that they need while reducing unnecessary strain on the heart and blood vessels.
When blood pressure is too high, known as hypertension, the heart has to work harder and places excessive pressure on the walls of the arteries.
“High blood pressure is often called the ‘silent killer’ because it can go undiagnosed for years,” adds Dr. Miller. “Often, patients are asymptomatic with higher blood pressures over time before they are diagnosed, which can lead to progressive strain on the heart and arteries throughout your body. High blood pressure can lead to thickening and weakening of the heart muscle, dilation of the aorta (the main blood vessel exiting your heart and supplying blood to the rest of your body), increased risk of stroke, and damage to the kidneys.”
When blood pressure is too low, known as hypotension, it may prevent enough blood from reaching the brain and other organs.
“Hypotension should be further evaluated when the patient’s blood pressure is below 90/60, especially if the patient is symptomatic, such as with fatigue, dizziness, or lightheadedness,” says AnnMarie Gray, family nurse practitioner at Erlanger Internal Medicine. “Hypotension can be caused by dehydration, heart conditions, blood loss, diet changes, and severe infections.”
Blood pressure that is consistently too high or too low can affect how well the body functions. Regular monitoring can help identify changes early and give healthcare providers an opportunity to address underlying causes or recommend treatment when needed.
Deciphering Your Reading
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and a reading has two numbers:
• Top number (systolic pressure): This measures the pressure in your arteries when the heart is beating.
• Bottom number (diastolic pressure): This measures the pressure in your arteries in between heartbeats.
Hypotension
Normal
Elevated
Stage 1 Hypertension
Stage 2 Hypertension
Hypertensive Crisis
According to the Cleveland Clinic, healthcare providers use the categories shown to describe blood pressure. A blood pressure measurement of 180/120 mm Hg or higher, which may be accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, or blurry vision, signals a hypertensive crisis, and emergency medical treatment should be sought immediately.
“Some factors that can temporarily affect a blood pressure reading are a full bladder, emotional stress, dehydration, or if a patient’s legs are crossed,” adds Gray. “Patients can ensure they are getting an accurate reading by staying well hydrated with water, keeping both feet on the floor at the time of the reading, and emptying their bladder before the reading.”
Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
The body undergoes many changes during pregnancy, and changes in blood pressure are no exception.
“To provide nourishment for the growing baby and in preparation for delivery, the body increases the volume of blood and blood vessels dilate, allowing more space for the increased blood volume,” says Dr. Joshua Schueller, OB/GYN at Galen OB/GYN Ridgeside. “Due to this dilation, blood pressure tends to drop in the first and second trimester and then return to non-pregnant levels in the third trimester.”
Early and consistent prenatal care is important for identifying chronic hypertension.
“There are two primary causes of high blood pressure during pregnancy: chronic hypertension, which is pre-existing, or preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that can affect multiple organ systems,” says Dr. Schueller. “The management and delivery recommendations differ between the two, therefore proper identification of the cause is necessary.”
Warning signs of preeclampsia can include limb swelling, weight gain, shortness of breath, headaches, vision changes, nausea or vomiting, and upper abdominal pain.
Blood pressure concerns can also continue after delivery. Women diagnosed with hypertension or preeclampsia during pregnancy need close postpartum follow-up.
“It’s also important to note that postpartum hypertension may develop without previously having the disease during pregnancy,” says Dr. Schueller. “Even women with uncomplicated pregnancies should be aware of warning signs and follow up postpartum.”
How to Maintain a Healthy Blood Pressure
While hypertension and hypotension can feel overwhelming, blood pressure levels can be managed through healthy habits, regular monitoring, and treatment when needed.
“Our lifestyle choices can have a big impact on our blood pressure,” shares Gray. “A heart-healthy diet, eight hours of sleep each night, and minimizing stress in one’s life are all very helpful in keeping blood pressure levels within a normal range.”
A heart-healthy diet is centered around fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats (like chicken and fish), and limiting processed foods with high salt content. Experts also note that exercise is critical to lowering blood pressure, with a recommended goal of 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week.
In some instances, your provider may recommend medications to lower your blood pressure. Diuretics (water pills) help rid the body of excess salt and water, beta-blockers lower the heart rate, and ACE inhibitors help blood vessels relax and open up.
“It is important to address high blood pressure with a multifocal approach,” finishes Dr. Miller. “With close monitoring, a focus on healthy diet and exercise, and medications if needed, we can treat high blood pressure early, before it causes any long-term damage!”
Meet the Author
Ali Lemmons, BS, Summa Cum Laude
Ali Lemmons is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a minor in computer science with the distinction of summa cum laude. While at UTC, Ali earned the Outstanding Senior Award for the communication department and was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society. As editor/digital content specialist for CMC Media & Marketing Group, Ali leads the ideation, conceptualization, and development of numerous health, wellness, business, sports, and lifestyle articles published in print and online for HealthScope® and CityScope® magazines as well as Choose Chattanooga® and Choose Huntsville® – premier publications serving Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia, and North Alabama. She is also involved in content creation for Digital Smart Marketing customers and is the lead copywriter for the company’s social media accounts. In her free time, Ali enjoys reading, hiking, and exploring everything the Scenic City has to offer.
