A Quick Summary of Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is defined as the force exerted by the blood against the inner walls of the blood vessels. A few of months ago, my general practitioner explained to me that it is determined by the flow of blood, and most importantly, by resistance to that flow. He further explained that many factors contribute to an individual's blood pressure including: age, diet, exercise, stress and genetic heredity.

Blood pressure readings consist of two separate results. The first of these is systolic pressure, or the "high" number, and the second is diastolic pressure, or the "low" number. When determining blood pressure the results are given as systolic (high) pressure over diastolic (low) pressure. The range for excellent or optimal blood pressure is a systolic reading of less than 120 and a diastolic reading under 80. Good or normal blood pressure falls in the range between 120 and 129 for the systolic and 80 to 84 for the diastolic. Fair or high normal blood pressure results in a reading of 130 to 139 for the systolic and 85 to 89 for the diastolic. Any reading of 140 or greater for the systolic and at least 90 for the diastolic is considered poor, and belongs to the category of hypertension.

After our weekly tennis match a month ago I talked to my friend John about blood pressure. I told him that my readings were 118 over 72, which fall in the optimal range. Immediately following our match we had the nurse at the pharmacy determine his blood pressure as 128 over 85, both good results. What he told me, however, was more interesting than anything that happened in our match or our blood pressure readings. John confessed to me that as recently as two years ago, before he started exercising regularly and following a sound nutrition program, his diastolic reading used to be 100, which is dangerously unhealthy. Over the course of the last two years he has dropped approximately 60 pounds and is in good cardiovascular shape for a man in his early 40s. The lifestyle change has definitely affected his blood pressure in a positive way, which greatly reduces his chances of heart disease.

My own story bears witness to this same fact. Four years ago I weighed 205 pounds due to a sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition and a thyroid problem that eventually sent me to the hospital. The thyroid problem also triggered an exponential increase in my blood pressure resulting in a reading of 185 over 110, and I was lucky not to suffer a heart attack. Following my release from the hospital I gradually embarked on a lifestyle change and I am now a certified fitness trainer and nutritionist, and I weigh a healthy 162 pounds. Most doctors, pharmacists and nurses I have consulted tell me that I am a low risk candidate for heart disease due to my optimal blood pressure.

Also interesting to note is that blood pressure definitely relates to the level of stress experienced. John is calmer than I am but his job is more stressful than mine. As manager of a department store in one of the more successful franchises in Montreal, he is under constant pressure to meet and exceed quotas. This may partly account for the fact that his blood pressure is slightly higher than mine despite his relaxed character. My own blood pressure reading is occasionally as high as 135 over 85 when I am under considerable stress. I have noted the correlation between stress and blood pressure on myself, but fortunately it does not stay at that level for long. As my friend John would say, I am learning "to take it easy."