4
What you should know about blood pressure
Blood pressure constantly changes throughout the day. It rises sharply in the early
morning and declines during the late morning. Blood pressure rises again in the
afternoon and finally drops to a low level at night. Also, it may vary in a short
period of time. Therefore, readings from successive measurements can fluctuate.
Blood pressure readings from a healthy 31 year old male, measured at 5 minute intervals
Blood pressure measured in a doctor's office only provides a momentary value.
Repeated measurements at home better reflect one's actual blood pressure
values under everyday conditions.
Moreover, many people have a different blood pressure when they measure at home,
because they tend to be more relaxed than when in the doctor's office.
Regular blood pressure measurements taken at home can provide your doctor with
valuable information on your normal blood pressure values and pulse.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has set up the following standard blood pressure
values when measured at resting pulse.
Blood
pressure (mmHg)
Normal
values
Mild
hypertension
Severe
hypertension
SYS = systole
= upper value
DIA = diastole
= lower value
up to 140
up to 90
140 – 180
90 – 110
over 180
over 110
SYS
mm HG
140
120
100
60
6
5 h
12
18
0
80
DIA
mm HG
English
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