26
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2. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE SUBJECT OF
BLOOD-PRESSURE AND ITS MEASUREMENT
2.1. How does high/low blood-pressure arise?
The level of blood-pressure is determined in a part of the brain, the so-called
circulatory centre, and adapted to the respective situation by way of feedback via
the nervous system.
To adjust the blood-pressure, the strength and frequency of the heart (Pulse), as
well as the width of circulatory blood vessels is altered. The latter is effected by way
of fine muscles in the blood-vessel walls.
The level of arterial blood-pressure changes periodically during the heart activity:
during the ‘blood ejection‘ (Systole) the value is maximal (systolic blood-pressure
value), at the end of the heart’s ‘rest period’ (Diastole) it is minimal (diastolic blood-
pressure value).
The blood-pressure values must lie within certain normal ranges in order to prevent
particular diseases.
2.2 Which values are normal?
Blood pressure is too high if at rest, the diastolic pressure is above 90mmHg and/
or the systolic blood-pressure is over 160mmHg. In this case, please consult your
doctor immediately. Long-term values at this level endanger your health due to the
associated advancing damage to the blood vessels in your body.
Should the systolic blood-pressure values lie between 140mmHg and 160mmHg and/
or the diastolic blood-pressure values lie between 90mmHg and 100mmHg, likewise,
please consult your doctor. Furthermore, regular self-checks will be necessary.
With blood-pressure values that are too low, i.e. systolic values under 105mmHg
and/or diastolic values under 60mmHg, likewise, please consult your doctor.
Even with normal blood-pressure values, a regular self-check with your blood-
pressure monitor is recommended. In this way you can detect possible changes in
your values early and react appropriately.
If you are undergoing medical treatment to control your blood pressure, please
keep a record of the level of your blood pressure by carrying out regular self-mea-
surements at specific times of the day. Show these values to your doctor.
Never
use the results of your measurements to alter independently the drug doses
prescribed by your doctor.
Table for classifying blood-pressure values (units mmHg):
Range
Systolic Blood-pressure Diastolic Blood-pressure Measures
Hypotension
lower than 100
lower than 60
Check with your
doctor
Normal range
between 100 and 140 between 60 and 90
Self-check
Mild hypertension
between 140 and 160 between 90 and 100
Consult your doctor
Moderately serious between 160 and 180 between 100 and 110 Consult your doctor
hypertension
Serious hypertension higher than 140
higher than 110
Urgent!
See
your
doctor
Specific systolic
higher than 140
lower than 90
Consult your doctor
hypertension
Further information
•
If your values are mostly standard under resting conditions but exceptionally
high under conditions of physical or psychological stress, it is possible that
you are suffering from so-called ”labile hypertension”. Please consult your
doctor if you suspect that this might be the case.
•
Correctly measured diastolic blood-pressure values above 120mmHg require
immediate medical treatment.
2.3. What can be done, if regular increased/low values are obtained?
a) Please consult your doctor.
b) Increased blood-pressure values (various forms of hypertension) are associa-
ted long- and medium term with considerable risks to health. This concerns
the arterial blood vessels of your body, which are endangered due to con-
striction caused by deposits in the vessel walls (Arteriosclerosis). A deficient
supply of blood to important organs (heart, brain, muscles) can be the result.
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