ABOUT BLOOD PRESSURE

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of the arteries. Systolic pressure occurs when the heart contracts; diastolic pressure occurs when the heart expands. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

What Affects Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is affected by many factors: age, weight, time of day, activity level, climate, altitude and season. Certain activities can significantly alter blood pressure. Walking can raise systolic pressure by 12 mmHg and diastolic pressure by 5.5 mmHg. Sleeping can decrease systolic blood pressure by as much as 10 mmHg. Taking your blood pressure repeatedly without waiting an interval of at least 3 minutes between readings can also affect it.

In addition to these factors, beverages containing caffeine or alcohol, certain medications, emotional stress and even tight-fitting clothes can make a difference in the readings.

What Causes Variations In Blood Pressure? An individual’s blood pressure varies greatly from day to day and season to season. In hypersensitive individuals, these variations are even more pronounced. Normally, blood pressure rises during work or play and falls to its lowest levels during sleep.

Fluctuation within a day (case: 35 year old male)

200

150

100

50

0

Arising

Telephone

Argument

Leave

Work

Sleep

 

Start Work

 

 

Systolic Blood

Pressure

Diastolic Blood

Pressure

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A&D UA-774 manual What Is Blood Pressure?, What Affects Blood Pressure?