by natenatmom

Created on: March 18, 2008   Last Updated: April 24, 2008

With heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States, it's no wonder so many Americans are concerned about their blood pressure. This magical number can tell doctors a lot about the health of your circulatory system and your lifestyle. But what exactly does it mean?

Your blood pressure consists of two parts: the systolic and the diastolic. The higher number (systolic) represents how much pressure the blood exerts on your arteries when the heart contracts. The lower number (diastolic) indicates how much pressure there is when the heart muscle relaxes. Your overall blood pressure is expressed as the systolic over the diastolic such as 130/70.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure or hypertension occurs when the heart has to work too hard to pump blood through the arteries. A pressure of 130/80 is considered borderline, while a pressure higher than 140/90 is too high and indicates stress on your heart. Symptoms include headaches, blurred vision, and dizziness. However, one of the biggest dangers with hypertension is the fact that there are usually no symptoms at all. The disease can go unnoticed for years while causing serious damage to your heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes.

The first line of treatment for high blood pressure is usually diet, exercise, and weight loss. By following your doctor's suggestions for adopting a healthier lifestyle and reducing your salt intake, you may be able to get your high blood pressure under control without the use of medication. It is also important to quit smoking. If these methods don't work, there are numerous drugs on the market that can help dramatically.

LOW BLOOD PRESSURE

A healthy blood pressure is considered to be anything below 130/80. However, if it gets too low, your organs may not receive enough blood flow for good functioning. Since this threshold is different for different people, low blood pressure or hypotension is not diagnosed unless the patient is experiencing symptoms. These include weakness, dizziness, or fainting, especially when standing up. This happens to many people on occasion. But if it happens regularly, talk to your doctor. Treatment for low blood pressure depends on the cause and may include increased fluid or salt intake, medication, or the use of pressure stockings.

MONITORING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

Hopefully you are getting regular check-ups from your doctor but you can also keep track of your own blood pressure at home. Blood pressure monitors are available from drug stores, medical

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