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What Causes High Blood Pressure ?
Blood pressure is only classed as high if it doesn’t go down when you rest. Permanently raised blood
pressure can be caused by several factors such as hardening of the arteries, smoking or drinking too
much alcohol. It can also be caused by cholesterol, a type of fat, building up inside your blood vessels
and making them narrower. Being under stress can add to the problem.
High blood pressure is also known to run in families hence if you find you have a high blood pressure it
is a good idea to test other closely related members of your family.
Dinner
Sleep
Rest room
Breakfast
Lunch
Blood pressure
(mmHg)
Systolic
blood
pressure
Diastolic
blood
pressure
Time
Brachial blood pressure data
Why is it a Good Thing To Measure Blood Pressure at Home ?
Having your blood pressure measured by a doctor can cause anxiety which is a cause itself of high
blood pressure. As a variety of conditions affect blood pressure, a single measurement may not be
sufficient for an accurate diagnosis.
The blood pressure measured first thing in the morning after getting up, before eating and while at rest,
is known as the fundamental blood pressure. In practice it is rather difficult to record the fundamental
blood pressure, but it is important to get readings in an environment that is as close as possible to this.
Classification of Blood Pressure by the World Heath
Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International
Society of Hypertention (ISH) developed the Blood Pressure
Classification shown in this figure.
This classification is based on the blood presure values
measured on people in a sitting position in outpatient
departments of hospitals.
*There is no universally accepted definition of hypotension. However, those
having the systolic pressure below 100 mmHg are assumed as hypotensive.
(mmHg)
According to the blood pressure classification by the WHO/ISH* (revised in 1999)
* International Society of Hypertension
(mmHg)
80
85
90
100
110
120
130
140
160
180
Systolic blood pressure
Diastolic
blood
pressure
Optimal blood
pressure
(target value)
Normal blood pressure
Normal systolic value
Mild hypertension
Moderate hypertension
Severe hypertension
Fluctuation within a Day
(Example: 35-year-old male)
