Let's know everything about your Blood Pressure in a simple way! (Blood Pressure)

When you go to see a doctor, you've probably seen a nurse or doctor put a band around your arm, pump it up, and look at a meter, right? That's your 'pressure', or as we medically call it, your blood pressure. It's not just two numbers, it's a very important thing that says a lot about the health of your entire body. So let's talk about this from the beginning.

What is blood pressure simply?

Think of the blood vessels in your body as a system of pipes that carry water. The heart is the motor that pumps the water through it. So, every time the heart beats, it pushes blood into the main blood vessel in your body. We call it the aorta. In this way, the heart pumps blood about 60-100 times a minute, 24 hours a day.

Blood pressure is the pressure that the blood pumped by your heart exerts on the walls of your blood vessels. These blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients to every part of your body, every organ.

But this blood pressure is not always the same. It changes depending on what you do.

• Your blood pressure rises when you exercise, climb stairs, or run after a bus.
• It can also increase when you are happy or anxious.
• When you sleep, calmly and restfully, your blood pressure decreases.
• Also, some medications you take, your position (standing, sitting, lying down), and age can change this pressure.

Why is blood pressure important to us?

We talk about blood pressure so much because it can have a big impact on your health. Simply put, it's like a breathing valve. If you keep it in check, you'll be healthy, but if you lose control of it, it can cause big problems.

• High blood pressure (Hypertension): This is what we call 'high blood pressure'. This is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. This means that there is a high chance of developing serious conditions like heart attack and stroke. Sometimes blood pressure can become very high. We call it a ``Hypertensive emergency''. This is an emergency that can even be life-threatening.

• Hypotension: This is a condition called 'low blood pressure '. This can make you feel dizzy, your eyes may turn blue, and you may lose consciousness and fall . If you fall, you may also have other accidents, such as hitting your head. If your blood pressure drops too low, the amount of blood flowing to your vital organs, such as your brain and kidneys, can decrease, and you may even develop a life-threatening condition called ``shock.''

This is usually done when you visit your doctor. You can also check this at home with a blood pressure monitor (BP machine). However, it is important to remember that even if you check at home, it is not a substitute for seeing a doctor .

When should you check your blood pressure?

It's important to have your family doctor check your blood pressure at least once a year . If your doctor has any concerns about your blood pressure levels, or if you're treating someone else, they may ask you to check more often to see how well your treatment is working.

Sometimes your doctor may ask you to check your blood pressure at home, either daily or once a week. Some people also have a 24-hour blood pressure monitoring test. This can track your blood pressure throughout the day, even while you sleep.

Just think, some people may experience a slight increase in blood pressure due to the fear and anxiety they have when seeing a doctor or going to the hospital. We call it ``White coat syndrome''. The 24-hour test also helps to accurately identify such conditions.

How does this blood pressure test work?

When you measure your blood pressure, you get two numbers. For example, 120/80. What do these two numbers mean?

• The top number (Systolic blood pressure): This is the pressure inside your blood vessels when your heart beats and pumps blood into your veins. This is the higher of the two numbers.
• The bottom number (Diastolic blood pressure): This is the pressure inside the blood vessels when the heart relaxes between beats. This is the lower number.

There are two main ways for a doctor to measure this:

1. Manually: This method uses a cuff and a gauge that shows the pressure. The doctor wraps the cuff around your arm, pumps it up, and inflates it. Then, using a stethoscope, the doctor gradually releases the air while listening to the sound of blood flowing through your arm.

2. Automatic method: This method uses an electronic device (BP machine). This automatically inflates and deflates the cuff. Your blood pressure readings are clearly displayed on a digital screen. This method does not require a stethoscope.

How to prepare before measuring blood pressure?

To get the most accurate value possible, do these things.

• Avoid smoking, exercising, and drinking caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee/tea 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure.
• Go to the bathroom before that. Even when the bladder is full, there may be a slight change in pressure.
• Sit quietly and do not talk for at least 5 minutes before taking the measurement.
• If you wear a short-sleeved shirt, the doctor can easily put the belt on your hand.

Blood Pressure Levels and Their Meaning

Once you have your blood pressure reading, it's important to know what level it is in. This is how blood pressure levels for adults are usually classified.

Important: If your upper and lower values ​​fall into two categories, your doctor will consider the highest category. For example, if your blood pressure is 132/78, it falls into the 'High Blood Pressure - Stage 1' category.

Low blood pressure (Hypotension) is usually defined as a reading below 90/60. However, some people may naturally have slightly lower blood pressure without any problems. However, it is only when there are symptoms such as dizziness that you should be concerned.

When should you see a doctor?

There are times when you need to be concerned about your blood pressure. Sometimes you can just talk to your doctor, but sometimes you need to seek treatment right away.

Your blood pressure is a very important number that your doctor will monitor for years. Even if you feel fine and have no problems, your internal pressure may be high. So getting it checked regularly is the only way to know if you're in a healthy range.