BP-1MY-2
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Your blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day. Normally, it is at its
highest shortly after you awake in the morning, and it reaches its
lowest level some time while you are asleep. A fluctuation between
maximum and minimum systolic blood pressure levels of about
20mmHg is considered normal.
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A rise in blood pressure can be caused by physical exercise, drinking
coffee or tea, smoking, the need to urinate, and other factors.
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Blood pressure is also affected by your physical condition, as well as
stress due to your emotional state, worry, etc.
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A blood pressure reading can also be affected by your posture when
the reading is taken. Normally, your blood pressure will be lower if you
are sitting instead of standing.
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Temperature and humidity can also affect blood pressure. Normally,
winter blood pressure readings tend to be higher than summer
readings.
The above is upper arm blood pressure data.
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
12
18
24
6
12
Time
Sleeping
Pressure
kPa mmHg
Blood Pressure Fluctuation
During the Day (Example)
Bevan, Honour & Stott : Clin. Sci (1969)36,329-344
21.3
18.6
16.0
13.3
10.6
8.0
5.3
Definitions and Classification of Blood Pressure Levels
Though the general rule of thumb for normal systolic (maximum value)
blood pressure is your current age plus 90mmHg, this is not always
necessarily true. The following chart shows some general guidelines for
blood pressure values.
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The following tables show classifications for hypertension (high blood
pressure) according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the
International Society on Hypertension (ISH) (1999).
Systolic Blood Pressure (mmHg)
Up to 80
80 to 84
85 to 89
90 to 94
90 to 99
100 to 109
110 or greater
Up to 120 120 to 129 130 to 139
140 to 159
160 to 179
180 or
greater
140 to 149
Optimal
(target)
Normal
High-Normal
Subgroup: Borderline
Grade 1 Hypertension (“mild”)
Grade 2 Hypertension (“moderate”)
Grade 3 Hypertension (“severe”)
Diastolic Blood
Pressure (mmHg)
Systolic Blood Pressure (kPa)
Up to 10.6
10.6 to 11.2
11.3 to 11.8
12.0 to 12.5
12.0 to 13.2
13.3 to 14.5
14.6 or greater
Up to 16.0 16.0 to 17.217.3 to 18.5
18.6 to 21.2
21.3 to 23.8
24.0 or
greater
18.6 to 19.8
Optimal
(target)
Normal
High-Normal
Subgroup: Borderline
Grade 1 Hypertension (“mild”)
Grade 2 Hypertension (“moderate”)
Grade 3 Hypertension (“severe”)
Diastolic Blood
Pressure (kPa)
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When diastolic blood pressure is up to 90mmHg, systolic blood
pressure greater than 140mmHg is classified as Isolated Systolic
Hypertension, while systolic blood pressure within the range of 140 to
149mmHg is classified as Subgroup: Borderline Isolated Systolic
Hypertension.
Systolic Blood Pressure (mmHg)
140 or greater
Diastolic Blood
Pressure (mmHg)
Borderline: Subgroup Isolated
Systolic Hypertension
140 to 149
Up to 90
Isolated Systolic
Hypertension
Systolic Blood Pressure (kPa)
18.6 or greater
Diastolic Blood
Pressure (kPa)
Borderline: Subgroup Isolated
Systolic Hypertension
18.6 to 19.8
Up to 12.0
Isolated Systolic
Hypertension
Why is high blood pressure a cause for concern?
As its name implies, high blood pressure causes arteries to be exposed
to high pressure, and can cause lesions in the arteries that supply blood
to brain, heart, liver, and other vital organs. Left untreated, high blood
pressure can lead to loss of heart function, hardening of the arteries, and
a host of other problems like those described below.
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Aneurysms in the brain’s blood vessels, which can lead to stroke
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Enlargement of the heart, which can lead to heart failure
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Narrowing of blood vessels in the kidney, which can lead to kidney
failure
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Premature hardening of the arteries throughout the body, especially
those in the heart, brain, and kidneys, which can lead to heart attack,
stroke, or kidney failure
What does low blood pressure indicate?
Some symptoms of low blood pressure are chronic fatigue, dizziness,
shoulder stiffness, palpitation of the heart, and shortness of breath. Be
sure to contact your physician if you suffer from any of these symptoms.
Monitoring Blood Pressure Levels on Your Own
When is the best time to take readings?
You should take readings during which you are most relaxed and stable.
It is also important to take readings at the same times everyday, every
morning, noon, and night, for example. Of course, you can also take
readings at any other time you wish, but the important thing is to take
blood pressure readings an integral part of your overall health control
activities.
Be sure to keep records.
Your blood pressure will fluctuate with changes in your physical
condition and even the weather. Because of this, you should keep a
record that includes not only measured values, but also information
about your physical condition and surrounding conditions. Try making it
your goal to build an entire year of daily records.
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You can make copies of the “Blood Pressure Record” at the back of
this manual and use them to keep track of changes in your blood
pressure and pulse measurements.
Is there anything I should do before taking a reading?
First of all, try to relax. Take five or six deep, cleansing breaths. Also,
note the following pointers.
Take readings in a quiet location.
Select a comfortable location that is free of loud noise and vibration, and
is neither overly hot nor cold. A temperature of about 20
°
C is best.
Take readings while you are calm.
Avoid times when you are worried or otherwise emotionally upset, and
after eating, exercise, or drinking coffee.
Maintain good posture during readings.
Keep your arm and wrist at about the same height as your heart. It is
also important to be free if tension.
Take readings at the same time everyday.
Remember that blood pressure is constantly changing. Try to take your
readings at the same time each day.
