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What do the numbers in a blood pressure reading represent?
The first or top number is your systolic blood pressure. This is the amount of pressure in your arteries during the contraction of your heart muscle. The second or bottom number is your diastolic blood pressure. This is the lowest level your blood pressure reaches as your heart relaxes between beats.
What do the numbers in blood pressure measure?
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.
Which reading is more important systolic or diastolic?
When it comes to measuring high blood pressure (hypertension), many wonder whether the number on top (systolic) is more important than the number on the bottom (diastolic). Typically, systolic blood pressure is given more attention as a risk factor for heart disease.
What are the 3 numbers on a blood pressure machine?
Here’s how to understand your systolic blood pressure number:
- Normal: Below 120.
- Elevated: 120-129.
- Stage 1 high blood pressure (also called hypertension): 130-139.
- Stage 2 hypertension: 140 or more.
- Hypertensive crisis: 180 or more. Call 911.
Is a diastolic of 58 too low?
Most doctors consider blood pressure too low only if it causes symptoms. Some experts define low blood pressure as readings lower than 90 mm Hg systolic or 60 mm Hg diastolic. If either number is below that, your pressure is lower than normal. A sudden fall in blood pressure can be dangerous.
What should the bottom number of blood pressure be?
For a normal reading, your blood pressure needs to show a top number (systolic pressure) that’s between 90 and less than 120 and a bottom number (diastolic pressure) that’s between 60 and less than 80.
Which is the most important number in blood pressure?
The number above (120) is called the systolic blood pressure and the number below (80) is called the diastolic blood pressure….Table 2. DASH diet composition.
| Salt | Less than 1500 milligrams (mg) of sodium a day. |
|---|---|
| Fruits: four to five servings a day | All fruits can be eaten as per seasonal availability. |