What You Need To Know About Blood Pressure Readings

Blood PressureWhenever you go to your physician or doctor, you will get a blood pressure reading. This happens whether you are sick or if you are just going for a health checkup. Doctors check your blood pressure to look for health issues including elevated blood pressure, high blood pressure (hypertension), low blood pressure (hypotension), heart disease or other conditions. Doctors usually look at two numbers the systolic pressure (first number) and the diastolic blood pressure (second number). Systolic pressure shows how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls as your heart beats, diastolic pressure shows how much pressure your blood is exerting against the artery wall while your heart is resting. 

What Do The Numbers Mean?

If your blood pressure is 120/80 or less, it is considered normal. A blood pressure reading of 120-129 over 80 or less is an elevated blood pressure.  If you get a reading like this, it is time to start making some changes, since people with an elevated blood pressure are more likely to develop high blood pressure. This is the time to start eating healthier and begin an exercise routine. Your blood pressure is high when you get a reading of 130 or higher over 80 and higher. If your blood pressure is higher than 180/120, do not wait to see your doctor, but call 911.

Pain And Blood Pressure

Pain can impact your blood pressure readings. As a matter of fact, acute pain can increase your blood pressure. This means if you are struggling with back pain or any other pain, you are at a higher risk for higher blood pressure. Your blood pressure increases when you experience pain because pain is a signal in your nervous system that something is wrong.

For more information visit: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23889724

Are you experiencing pain? SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT or Call Today: 844-496-LAHS (5247). At LA Health Solutions, we pride ourselves on our multi-disciplinary facility that offers a variety of comprehensive services including pain management, physical therapy, and chiropractic work. Many problems that we see in our patients can be treated with the right mix of non-surgical approaches, you do not have to have surgery first to see results.