Understanding blood pressure readings: Meaning, risks, ranges, and management tips

Monitoring blood pressure is a vital part of maintaining heart health and preventing cardiovascular complications. Blood pressure is expressed in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and consists of two key numbers: systolic and diastolic. These numbers help healthcare professionals categorise your blood pressure into different stages and guide appropriate management strategies.Blood pressure represents the force your blood exerts on artery walls, and understanding these numbers is crucial for long-term health. In this article, we explain how to read a blood pressure chart, interpret your readings, and manage both high and low blood pressure.Understanding blood pressure readings is crucial because high blood pressure (hypertension) is often symptomless but can lead to serious health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage, and vision loss. Measuring your blood pressure is the only reliable way to know your status, and maintaining healthy levels can prevent long-term complications. Know the categories and its meaning in detail.According to the American Heart Association (AHA) check below what your blood pressure numbers reveal about your health and what each range signifies.Source: American Heart AssociationSystolic (top number): Measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. Higher systolic readings are a key predictor of cardiovascular risk, especially in adults over 50.Diastolic (bottom number): Measures pressure when your heart rests between beats. Elevated diastolic readings can indicate resistance in smaller arteries and may contribute to long-term heart strain.Important note: Only one of the two numbers—systolic or diastolic—needs to be elevated for your blood pressure to be classified in a higher-risk category. For example:Knowing your blood pressure category helps you determine whether your readings are healthy or indicate potential risks.High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when one or both blood pressure numbers are elevated above the normal range. According to the American Heart Association (AHA):Important: Only one number needs to be high to place you in a hypertensive stage. For instance:High blood pressure often develops silently, so regular monitoring is essential.Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is typically defined more by symptoms than by numbers. However, the AHA and the NHS consider readings of ≤90/60 mm Hg as hypotensive. Symptoms may include dizziness, fainting, and fatigue.Unlike adults, children’s blood pressure is not a fixed number. It varies depending on age, sex, and height, making pediatric blood pressure more complex to interpret. Because children are growing, their cardiovascular system changes over time, which affects normal blood pressure ranges.Early detection of abnormal blood pressure in children is important because hypertension in childhood can persist into adulthood. Untreated high blood pressure in children may lead to:Accurate measurement is key to understanding your blood pressure:Management depends on whether your readings are high, low, or normal.The approach varies based on hypertension stage and underlying health conditions:Low blood pressure may not require treatment unless symptoms are present. Possible interventions include:Failure to manage blood pressure can lead to severe health consequences:Also Read | ‘I thought it was a stomach pain but…’: 39 year old British man diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer; here’s what he missed, symptoms and causes