Min menu

Pages

You Think That 120/80 Is A Normal Blood Pressure: You Are Completely Wrong

You Think That 120/80 Is A Normal Blood Pressure: You Are Completely Wrong

There is general confusion about good blood pressure. Tension is the barometer of health and blood pressure differs from one person to another according to factors such as age, weight, genetic inheritance or some diseases such as diabetes. So what is the normal voltage we should have?

You Think That 120/80 Is A Normal Blood Pressure: You Are Completely Wrong

According to a study by Public Health, about 30% of adults have high blood pressure. The latter is defined by the power of the blood flow in the arteries. With a blood pressure monitor it can be measured. This is called systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.
  • Systolic pressure is the pressure of the blood flow during the contraction of the heart to send the blood into the arteries.
  • Diastolic pressure is the load on the arteries between each contraction of the heart, when the heart relaxes.

Good blood pressure is generally around 120/80. Thus for this level of tension, the number 120 refers to the systolic pressure and 80 to the diastolic pressure.

Symptoms of high blood pressure
High blood pressure is a risk of cardiovascular problems and is characterized by abnormal high blood pressure on the arterial wall. We usually talk about hypertension when it is above or equal to 140/90. Among the symptoms of hypertension, we have:
  • Palpitations
  • Whistling in the ear
  • Headache
  • Fatigue and sleepiness
  • Dizziness
  • Causes of hypertension

The causes of high blood pressure are usually related to the hereditary factor, age or poor eating and living habits such as heavy drinking, fatty foods, lack of physical activity; to the stress factor. However, other factors may be involved in hypertension, such as the use of certain medications that can lead to water and salt retention or other medications that affect the heart rate.

Blood pressure between 120/80 and 140/90 and controversy.

Scientifically speaking, a normal blood pressure, relative to a healthy person is 120/80. Numerous studies, including the ESC Association, have highlighted an approach according to which blood pressure of up to 130/85 or 139/89 is considered normal but remains potentially high for people with no signs of disease. Thus, according to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the blood pressure level between 120/80 and 140/90 is in the pre-hypertension zone.

In addition, this level of tension does not apply to people with diabetes whose blood pressure should be less than 130/80 and less than 140/80 for the elderly.
Moreover, it should be noted that some subjects may suffer from masked hypertension or white coat hypertension.

Hypertension of the white coat

Some patients, in the presence of their doctor, may experience high blood pressure, known as a "white coat". This hypertension does not present any potential health hazard. This phenomenon can be caused by stress, due to the medical environment and may concern, in particular:
  • Old people
  • Poor people
  • The women
  • People suffering from high cholesterol
  • Hypertension of the masked coat

In contrast, the hypertension of the masked coat is manifested by normal or low tension during a consultation but may increase once the patient is back home. This may be more dangerous as it may mask cardiovascular disease or stroke.
Following the suspicion of both cases, the doctor could suggest to the patient to measure his tension at home, especially in case of hypertension, smoking or diabetes.

Preventive measures against hypertension

The risk of cardiovascular disease increases each time blood pressure is rising. 

As a result, basic preventive measures must be taken:
  • Measure the blood pressure at least once a year at the doctor's office
  • Avoid stress as much as possible
  • Practice regular physical activity
  • Adopt a balanced diet by reducing salt, fat, avoiding alcoholic beverages and increasing the consumption of fish rich in omega 3 as well as fruits and vegetables.