=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
AHects 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
5 to 10 minutes between readings,
or
without raising
your
arm
to allow blood to flow back to the heart, can also affect it.
In addition to these factors, diet 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.
fl'luQtuation
within
a
day
(case:
35
year
old
male)
200
,..........-------------~
150
+--------
100
50
o
• Systolic Blood
Pressure
til Diastolic Blood
Pressure
13 "
LifeSource Health
Line
(Toll-Free):
1-888-726-9966
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General
