7
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 maxi-
mal (systolic blood-pressure value), at the end of the heart’s «rest pe-
riod» (Diastole) 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 un-
der 100mmHg and/or diastolic values under 60mmHg, likewise,
please consult your doctor.
IB BP 3BU1-5 VarB 0702.qxd 13.08.2002 8:41 Uhr Seite 7
