Blood pressure (or blood pressure) is the force exerted by blood on the walls of the arteries. What is systolic and diastolic blood pressure? What numbers when the voltage is normal? High? Low? What are the age standards? Man Woman ? Definition, tables of measurements…
In France, nearly 15 million people suffer from high blood pressure, estimates the French Federation of Cardiology. One in five people is not treated and one in two of those who are treated do not reach the target of 140/90mmHg. However, high blood pressure is the primary risk factor for stroke. What is normal blood pressure? High? Low? What standards according to age? What to do to lower your blood pressure? On the contrary, increase it? Definition and measurement tables.
Definition: what is blood pressure?
The arterial pressure (or pressure) corresponds to the pressure exerted by the blood, pumped by the heart, against the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is defined as a force that allows blood to circulate through all organs. It is determined by two values systolic blood pressurethe highest value and diastolic blood pressure, the lowest. Blood pressure values are indicated by two numbers whose unit is millimeters of mercury (mmHg). For simplicity :
→ The top number (higher) is the blood pressure when the heart contracts = pressure or tension systolic
→ The bottom number (the lower) is the blood pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes = pressure or tension diastolic
What is systolic blood pressure?
Systolic blood pressure is the value of the blood pressure during cardiac ventricular contraction, or systole. It is the pressure present in the vessels when the heart contracts. The systolic pressure corresponds to the highest value: for example, for a blood pressure of 13/8, it is the number 13.
What is diastolic blood pressure?
Diastolic blood pressure is the value of the blood pressure at the time of ventricular relaxation heart or diastole. This pressure is that which exists in the arteries between 2 cardiac contractions, during the phase of relaxation and filling of the heart. Diastolic pressure is the lower number. For example, for a blood pressure of 13/8, it is the number 8.
What is normal blood pressure according to age?
- Blood pressure is said to be normal when it is lower at 14.5/9 or 145/90 mmHg and greater than 10/7 or 100mmHg /7mmHg.
- Blood pressure is on average higher in men than in women until the period of menopause, which then reverses.
- Blood pressure increases with agedepending on the elasticity of the arteries.
There are “physiological variations in blood pressure”. It increases in stressful situations and then decreases when calm returns. At the beginning of pregnancy, blood pressure decreases to return to normal figures at the end of pregnancy. Blood pressure decreases during resting phases. Noise can raise blood pressure. Physical activity or sport: the heart increases its output during an effort causing a rise in blood pressure. Blood pressure drops during sleep. The “white coat” effect corresponds to the rise in blood pressure caused by the stress of a medical consultation at the sight of a white coat.
What is normal blood pressure in humans?
| Age | Blood pressure (in mmHg) |
|---|---|
| 20-29 years old | 107 |
| 30 – 39 years old | 111 |
| 40 to 49 years old | 115 |
| 50 – 59 years old | 118 |
| 60-69 years old | 120 |
| 70 -79 years old | 123 |
| Age | Blood pressure (in mmHg) |
|---|---|
| 20-29 years old | 69 |
| 30 – 39 years old | 74 |
| 40 to 49 years old | 77 |
| 50 – 59 years old | 78 |
| 60-69 years old | 75 |
| 70 -79 years old | 70 |
What is normal blood pressure in women?
| Age | Blood pressure (in mmHg) |
|---|---|
| 20-29 years old | 101 |
| 30 – 39 years old | 105 |
| 40 to 49 years old | 108 |
| 50 – 59 years old | 116 |
| 60-69 years old | 120 |
| 70 -79 years old | 128 |
| Age | Blood pressure (in mmHg) |
|---|---|
| 20-29 years old | 66 |
| 30 – 39 years old | 69 |
| 40 to 49 years old | 70 |
| 50 – 59 years old | 72 |
| 60-69 years old | 71 |
| 70 -79 years old | 70 |
Blood pressure is broken down into two values: systolic blood pressure (top number: SYS on the blood pressure monitor) and diastolic blood pressure (bottom number: DIA on the blood pressure monitor).
- The systolic blood pressure should not exceed 140 (or 14 if the figure is expressed in cmHg). In our example (right), the systolic pressure is 117mmHg or 11.7 cmHg. The voltage is perfectly within the norms.
- The diastolic blood pressure should not exceed 90 mmHg or 9 cmHg. In our example, the diastolic pressure is 72mmHg or 7.2 cmHg. The voltage is perfectly within the norms.
- In this example, the patient’s blood pressure is 11.7/7.2
- Some blood pressure monitors (like the one in the image to the right) also give the number of beats per minute (third digit). This is not taken into account for the calculation of blood pressure.
What does mmhg mean?
The abbreviation mmHg means millimeter (mm) of mercury (Hg from the Latin Hydrargyrum). This unit of measurement is used to measure blood pressure (1 mmHg equals 0.00133 bar). The figures provided by the doctor after a blood pressure measurement are expressed in mmHg. When the therapist indicates 12/8 for example, it means that the systolic blood pressure (when the heart was contracting) was 120 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure (when the heart was relaxing) was 80 mmHg.
Low blood pressure (hypotension): the sign of what?
Too low blood pressure, that is to say corresponding to a drop in blood pressure below 90 mm Hg for the maximum, is called hypotension. We speak of orthostatic hypotension when the blood pressure drops by more than 2 mmHg when going from a lying position to a standing position. The symptoms hypotension are represented by:
- of the dizziness,
- the appearance of flying flies in front of the eyes
- tiredness.
High blood pressure (hypertension): the sign of what?
Hypertension is defined as chronically increased blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure should not exceed a value of 14.5. Diastolic blood pressure should not exceed a value of 9. The term arterial hypertension corresponds to a blood pressure value greater than 14.5/9. The vast majority of people with high blood pressure are unaware that they have it because the arterial hypertension often evolves in a way asymptomatic. Arterial hypertension is the most frequent cardiovascular disease and represents the most important risk factor for vascular pathologies. In high blood pressure, when the blood pressure is too high, then the heart has to work harder. Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in France. The idea of monitoring blood pressure is still insufficiently rooted in the minds of many people.
A patient is considered hypertensive if, during three visits within three to six months, a blood pressure measurement taken twice gives results greater than or equal to 145 mmHg for systolic pressure and/or results greater than or equal to 90 mmHg for diastolic pressure. Consumption of licorice or drinks containing it can increase blood pressure. Overweight and obesity can increase blood pressure. Food intake that is too high in salt can increase blood pressure numbers.
Blood pressure is measured either electronically or manually with an armband and a stethoscope (the most reliable method). The cuff is inflated at arm level until arterial occlusion is achieved and then gradually deflated. The first beats heard correspond to the systolic arterial pressure and when these become muffled, the number read on the manometer corresponds to the diastolic pressure.
Treatments: what to do and when to consult?
It is necessary to have your blood pressure monitored regularly because its increase can be asymptomatic
It is necessary to have your blood pressure monitored regularly because its increase can be asymptomatic. When symptoms appear such as headache, nosebleeds, dizziness or unusual tiredness, the search for arterial hypertension is necessary. Many therapeutic classes exist to stabilize blood pressure. Drugs are chosen according to the cause (which must be investigated), tolerance and degree of hypertension. Lifestyle and dietary measures and regular self-measurement of blood pressure are offered in addition to the treatment. In case of hypotension, good hydration is advised and certain medications can increase blood pressure to bring it back to normal values.
On the health forum: discussions about blood pressure
To remember
► Normal blood pressure is less than 14.5/9 or 145/90 mmHg and greater than 10/7 or 100mmHg /7mmHg.
► The prevalence of hypertension is higher in men than in women.
► Headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness or unusual tiredness may be signs of high blood pressure.
► In France, 1 patient out of 3 is hypertensive and 1 patient out of 2 does not know it.
► The management of hypertension begins with lifestyle and dietary measures (weight loss, salt reduction, sport, etc.).
Thanks to Dr Anne-Christine Della Valle, general practitioner.