8 tips for understanding bp machine and blood pressure numbers

Blood pressure is a critical indicator of cardiovascular health, yet many people need a more superficial understanding of their blood pressure readings. This article tends to clarify blood pressure, explaining how bp machine helps to monitor your bp levels, what the numbers mean, and how to manage and maintain normal blood pressure.

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the amount of force exerted by circulating blood to get through the arteries. It is a vital sign that reflects the health of the individual’s cardiovascular system. The heart pumps blood through the arteries, veins, and capillaries to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs. Too high blood pressure causes serious health issues. To control and manage blood pressure levels helps fda approved blood pressure monitor.

BP machine: blood pressure numbers and their meaning

It is essential to understand the numbers displayed on your bp machine to assess your cardiovascular health.

• Systolic Pressure. This top number indicates how much pressure your blood exerts against your artery walls when the heart beats. A systolic reading less than 120 mmHg is considered normal.
• Diastolic Pressure. This bottom number shows how much pressure your blood exerts against your artery walls while the heart rests between beats. A diastolic reading of less than 80 mmHg is considered normal.

When your home blood pressure monitor shows 125/75 mmHg, that means your systolic pressure is 125 mmHg (elevated), and your diastolic pressure is 75 mmHg (normal). Such readings indicate an elevated blood pressure status. In this case, it is necessary to make lifestyle changes to prevent hypertension progression.

Healthy and unhealthy blood pressure ranges

Health organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) classify and define blood pressure readings. Understanding these categories helps determine whether your blood pressure is in a healthy range or needs attention.

Healthy Blood Pressure Range

Normal: Systolic less than 120 mmHg and diastolic less than 80 mmHg.

Unhealthy Blood Pressure Ranges

Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 mmHg and diastolic less than 80 mmHg. This range indicates that you are likely to develop high blood pressure unless steps are taken to control it.

Hypertension Stage 1: Systolic between 130-139 mmHg or diastolic between 80-89 mmHg. At this stage, doctors may suggest lifestyle changes and possibly medications.

Hypertension Stage 2: Systolic 140 mmHg or higher, or diastolic 90 mmHg or higher. More intensive treatment may be required, including a combination of medications and daily monitoring of blood pressure levels with bp machine.

Hypertensive Crisis: Systolic over 180 mmHg and/or diastolic over 120 mmHg, requiring immediate medical attention. This is a severe condition that can lead to life-threatening complications such as stroke or heart attack. To be more aware of hypertension, watch our video, where cardiologist Dr. Carolina Melgar explains the symptoms of this ‘silent killer.’

Normal blood pressure for a 70-year-old

Blood pressure tends to increase with age, so monitoring blood pressure with a bp machine is essential. Normal blood pressure for a 70-year-old might be higher than the standard 120/80 mmHg. According to guidelines, a systolic pressure below 140 mmHg and a diastolic pressure below 90 mmHg are generally considered acceptable for older adults. However, we advise you to consult your healthcare provider to maintain a blood pressure closer to the lower end of the range (e.g., 130/80 mmHg), which is ideal for minimizing cardiovascular risk.

Normal blood pressure for kids

Children have different blood pressure norms than adults, so it is crucial to take their blood pressure readings regularly by BP machine. Such factors as age, height, and gender influence the bp levels. The blood pressure chart by age and height provides specific ranges:

Infants (0-1 year): Systolic 72-104 mmHg, Diastolic 37-56 mmHg
Toddlers (1-3 years): Systolic 86-106 mmHg, Diastolic 42-63 mmHg
Preschoolers (3-6 years): Systolic 89-112 mmHg, Diastolic 46-72 mmHg
School-age (6-13 years): Systolic 97-120 mmHg, Diastolic 57-80 mmHg
Adolescents (13-18 years): Systolic 110-135 mmHg, Diastolic 65-85 mmHg

It is important for parents to ensure that their children’s blood pressure is monitored regularly, especially if there is a family history of hypertension.