You probably hear a lot about blood pressure—the rate at which blood flows through your circulatory system. High blood pressure, or hypertension, increases your risk of heart attack or stroke. Excessively low blood pressure, or hypotension, is also problematic, as it can cause dizziness, fainting, nausea, blurred vision, and fatigue. Before visiting your doctor’s office, learn more about blood pressure readings, and how to keep yourself in a healthy range.

How Do You Interpret Readings?

When getting your blood pressure checked at your doctor’s office or local pharmacy, a small cuff will be wrapped around your upper arm. That cuff will inflate and deflate, checking your systolic and diastolic pressure.

Systolic blood pressure refers to the force blood puts on your vessels as it moves from the heart to the arteries. Diastolic blood pressure concerns arterial pressure levels in between heartbeats. The systolic number appears on top during readings, and the diastolic number appears on the bottom.

Systolic pressure typically falls between 90 and 120, and diastolic pressure is generally between 60 and 80. High systolic readings are between 130 and 139, while high diastolic readings are between 80 and 90. The more these numbers increase, the higher your risk is for hypertension. 

How Can You Maintain Healthy Blood Pressure?

If your blood pressure reading comes back too high or low, talk to your doctor about what you can do to change the numbers. Enjoying a nutrient-dense diet that's full of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and low in sodium and sugar will generally help. Aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming, biking, and running also contribute to heart health. Finally, cutting back on drinking and smoking can lead to positive changes.

If you still have high or low blood pressure after making lifestyle changes, schedule an appointment at your doctor's office to discuss your options. Beta-blockers and other medications can thin the blood to help it move through your body with less effort. 

The team at Superior Urgent Care in Keller, TX, is here to help you manage your blood pressure and overall health. This doctor’s office provides residents throughout the region with a wide range of health services, and accepts both Tricare and Medicare. Call (817) 576-4050 to make an appointment or visit them online to learn more about their services. For more information, connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.