Commonly Asked Questions
About Blood Pressure
When the heart contracts it sends blood out into the body. This pressure is referred to as systolic.
The pressure that is created as the heart pulls blood back through is called diastolic.
Blood pressure is recorded as
systolic over diastolic, as shown here.
What Is Considered Normal Blood Pressure?
The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has set forth the following guidelines regarding high blood pressure. Guidelines provided are for information pur- poses only. Please consult with your physician for proper diagnosis.
Commonly Asked Questions
About Blood Pressure
Why Does My Blood Pressure Fluctuate?
Because blood pressure changes with every beat of the heart it is in constant fluctuation throughout any given day. In addition to these natural changes there are other factors that may affect blood pressure such as:
• Temperature | • Fear |
(too hot or cold) | • Anger |
• Humidity | • Anxiety |
• Restlessness | • Food and beverage |
• Lack of sleep | consumption |
• Physical exercise | • Individual physical |
• Constipation | conditions |
• Stress |
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In addition to these factors you should talk with your physician to see what may be affecting you.
How Do I Know I Have High Blood Pressure?
It’s nearly impossible to know if your blood pressure is elevated without having it checked. People have the common miscon- ception that one can “feel” their blood pressure rise. It is because of this mystery that hypertension has been named
6 Commonly Asked Questions About Blood Pressure | Commonly Asked Questions About Blood Pressure 7 |