What is blood pressure?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by BSCK II Nguyen Quoc Viet - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries to bring blood from the heart to the tissues of the body. Blood pressure is created by the force of contraction of the heart muscle and the resistance of the artery walls.

1. What is the definition of blood pressure?

For normal people, blood pressure during the day is usually higher than at night. Blood pressure tends to drop to its lowest between 1-3 am, the time when people sleep the most and blood pressure will be highest around 8-10 am. In particular, strenuous physical activity, nervous tension or when experiencing strong emotions can cause blood pressure to rise. Conversely, when the body rests and relaxes, blood pressure may drop.
Cold temperature causes vasoconstriction or some vasoconstrictor drugs, drugs acting on myocardial contractility, salty foods... can increase blood pressure. In a hot environment, the body sweats a lot, loses water in diarrhea or takes vasodilators... can cause low blood pressure.

2. What is the unit of blood pressure?

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), defined as two numbers, usually written as a ratio.

3. What is systolic blood pressure?

huyet-ap-1 — Huyết áp là áp lực cần thiết tác động lên thành của động mạch để đưa máu từ tim đến nuôi dưỡng các mô trong cơ thể

Systolic blood pressure, also known as maximum blood pressure, is the highest blood pressure in the blood vessels. Systolic blood pressure is the force of blood against the arteries when the heart contracts (the heart is in a state of contraction). Indicated as the greater or upper number in the blood pressure reading. Systolic blood pressure usually varies with age, usually between 90 and 140 mmHg.

4. What is diastolic blood pressure?

Diastolic blood pressure, also known as diastolic blood pressure, is the lowest blood pressure in the blood vessels that occurs between contractions of the heart. Diastolic pressure is the force of blood against the artery walls when the heart relaxes (the heart muscle is relaxed). Indicated as the lower or lower number in the blood pressure reading. Diastolic blood pressure ranges from 50 to 90 mmHg.

5. Normal blood pressure readings, what is the optimal blood pressure?

According to the classification of hypertension, the optimal blood pressure in adults is defined as having systolic blood pressure less than 120 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure less than 80 mmHg. In other words, a blood pressure reading less than 120/80 mmHg is optimal blood pressure. However, according to WHO, the most beneficial state for the heart is a systolic blood pressure lower than 105 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure lower than 60 mmHg.
Normal blood pressure is defined as systolic blood pressure less than 130 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure less than 85 mmHg.

huyet-ap-2 — Huyết áp bình thường được xác định khi huyết áp tâm thu nhỏ hơn 130 mmHg và huyết áp tâm trương nhỏ hơn 85mmHg

6. What is high blood pressure?

Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher and/or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher.
High blood pressure is the leading cause of cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, heart failure, kidney failure... resulting in paralysis, disability or loss of work capacity. Cardiovascular diseases related to hypertension are the number one cause of death in Vietnam, accounting for 33% of all deaths nationwide.

7. Classification of hypertension

High blood pressure is mostly asymptomatic, but the complications of the disease can be life-threatening, to identify hypertension must be based on blood pressure readings. High or low blood pressure both affect the body, regularly check blood pressure for early diagnosis of blood pressure diseases. Early screening for hypertension and related diseases to promptly treat the disease.
Vinmec International General Hospital offers Hypertension Checkup Package, applicable to all subjects in need, especially those at high risk. Consists of two packages for customers to choose from: basic high blood pressure checkup package and advanced hypertension checkup package.
When choosing the package at Vinmec, customers can:
Visit with a cardiologist and perform a number of tests to evaluate organ function. Depending on the basic or advanced package, customers can perform different techniques. Vinmec Hospital with a team of professional and highly qualified doctors, modern equipment system, customers will enjoy high quality services.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.