BLOOD PRESSURE - HOW HIGH CAN THE BLOOD PRESSURE VALUES BE?

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Table of contents

1. What is blood pressure?
2. How do you measure blood pressure?
3. How high can my blood pressure be?
4. Why is high blood pressure dangerous?
5. What can you do to keep your blood pressure healthy?

1. WHAT IS BLOOD PRESSURE?

The heart pumps our blood through the whole body. This supplies all parts of the body with oxygen and vital nutrients. Blood pressure is the force with which the blood moves and presses against the walls of the blood vessels. This pressure is by no means always the same. Rather, the body dynamically adapts it to its current needs.

There are special sensory cells in the arteries, the baroreceptors. They measure the dilation of the arteries and transmit the information to the autonomic nervous system. This can regulate blood pressure by releasing messenger substances that adjust the heartbeat and the width of the arteries. In technical terms, this process is called arterial pressure regulation. This allows muscles and organs to be supplied with oxygen and nutrients more quickly when needed - for example, when we exercise.

2. HOW DO YOU MEASURE BLOOD PRESSURE?

As blood pressure is so dynamic, measuring blood pressure can only ever provide a snapshot. When measuring blood pressure, a distinction is made between two values: the systolic value is the higher of the two and is always given first. It is measured when the blood is being pumped into the blood vessels. The second value is the diastolic value. It is lower because it is measured when the heart muscle is relaxed.

There are various methods for measuring blood pressure:

Indirect measurement: Blood pressure measurement using a blood pressure cuff or a digital blood pressure monitor is used in doctors' surgeries. Doctors also refer to this as non-invasive measurement (NIPB).

Direct measurement: This measurement method is also known as invasive blood pressure measurement (IBP). The sensor is placed in the artery. This type of measurement is generally only used in emergencies or in hospital.

24-hour measurement: The long-term measurement can provide a more accurate picture of the development of blood pressure over the course of a day.

3. HOW HIGH CAN MY BLOOD PRESSURE BE?

At rest, blood pressure should be around 120 to 80 mmHg. This leads to the question: What blood pressure values are dangerous? Blood pressure is said to be too high if it is above 140 to 90 mmHg. This type of blood pressure often goes unnoticed for a long time, but can lead to health problems in the long term. Acutely life-threatening is a blood pressure from a systolic value of 220 mmHg and a diastolic value of 120 mmHg. Such high values are referred to as a blood pressure crisis. Those affected should see a doctor immediately, as there is a risk of vascular rupture, heart attack or stroke.

Blood pressure typically changes over the course of a person's life. But what blood pressure is normal at what age? Basically, children have lower blood pressure, which rises with increasing age. In newborns, the normal blood pressure is 60 to 40 mmHg, in infants it is already 95 to 60 mmHg and in adults 120 to 80 mmHg. Older people often have higher values of 150 to 90 mmHg. The age group between 70 and 79 years suffers the most from high blood pressure - namely three out of ^four1.

4. WHY IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE DANGEROUS?

Blood pressure can be high without immediately causing noticeable symptoms. Many people do not even notice their high blood pressure for years, which is why it is important to measure it regularly. If blood pressure levels are above 140 to 90 mmHg in the long term, this increases the risk of various illnesses and damage to health. These include:

- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- Kidney damage
- Vascular wear and tear
- Blindness
- Erectile dysfunction
- Heart attack
- Stroke

Very high blood pressure can also lead to acute symptoms:

-chest pain
- breathing problems
- dizziness
- headaches
- seizures
- ringing in the ears
- nosebleeds
- speech disorders
- nausea
- visual disturbances

If such symptoms occur in people with high blood pressure, medical help should be sought immediately - it may be a hypertensive emergency.

5. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY BLOOD PRESSURE?

The good news is that you can do a lot yourself to maintain healthy blood pressure. If you suffer from persistently high blood pressure, you can have your doctor adjust it with medication. Since 1998, the average blood pressure in Germany has decreased significantly due to good blood pressure ^management1. However, hypertension has increased in one population group: young men. Experts explain this by the increase in obesity and stress. A healthy lifestyle can usually prevent high blood pressure. In many cases, normal blood pressure can be restored without medication - in consultation with a doctor.

The German Hypertension League recommends the following:

- regular exercise
- moderate alcohol consumption
- low-salt diet
- no smoking
- healthy weight
- balanced diet with plenty of unsaturated fatty acids and wholegrain products
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Those affected should also pay attention to stress management. Research suggests that various nutrients can also have a positive influence on blood pressure. These include magnesium and vitamin D2³. Vitamin C and the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPS) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHS) are also thought to contribute to healthy blood pressure. Recent studies have also found evidence that gut health may be important for blood pressure3⁴. Probiotics can help maintain normal gut flora.

CONCLUSION

High blood pressure often does not cause immediate symptoms, but can lead to serious and even life-threatening illnesses in the medium term. Fortunately, everyone can do something about high blood pressure - especially by adopting a healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise and a balanced diet.

Sources:

¹ Study on the health of adults in Germany by the Robert Kocht Institute (DEGS1, link: https: //www.rki.de/DE/Content/Gesundheitsmonitoring/Studien/Degs/degs_node.html
² Study: Rodriguez-Portales, Intracellular calcium and blood pressure: comparison between primary hyperparathyroidism and essential hypertension, Link: https: //www.nature.com/articles/1001907
³ Study: Pilz S, et al. Vitamin D status and arterial hypertension: a systematic review, article in Deutsche ApothekerZeitung "Vitamin D und Magnesium bei Hypertonie", Link: https: //www.deutsche-apotheker-zeitung.de/daz-az/2012/daz-11-2012/vitamin-d-und-magnesium-bei-hypertonie
⁴ Study: Gómez-Guzmán, M. et al. Antihypertensive effects of probiotics Lactobacillus strains in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Article "Gut bacteria could protect against hypertension", study: Khalesi, S. et al. Effect of probiotics on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Hypertension, Medical Journal, Link: https: //www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/83520/Studie-Darmbakterien-koennten-vor-einer-Hypertonie-schuetzen