Blood Pressure is measured by two different elements – the amount of blood that your heart pumps out and the amount of resistance your arteries offer against that blood flowing through them. The more blood is pumped out by your heart and the narrower your arteries, the more resistance there is and the higher your blood pressure. The top number (systolic pressure) refers to the amount of pressure in your arteries during contraction of your heart muscle. The bottom number (diastolic pressure) refers to your blood pressure when your heart muscle is between beats. Both numbers are important in determining the state of your heart.
For a normal range, your blood pressure needs to be 90-120 (systolic)/60-80 (diastolic), or simply put, 120/80 mmHg. Higher numbers than the normal range indicate that your heart is working too hard to pump blood to the rest of your body.
A systolic number of 140 or higher and a diastolic number of 90 or higher are considered hypertension or high blood pressure.
Symptoms of Hypertension:
There are no symptoms of hypertension in most cases, which is the most worrisome part of this condition; thus, the reason it is called the “silent killer”. Damage can be happening without you knowing. Some people in the early stages of hypertension can experience dizziness, headaches, and sometimes nosebleeds. However, a regular check-up by your doctor normally includes a blood pressure check and treatment, if necessary.
How Can Weight Loss Help improve High Blood Pressure?
When you are carrying extra weight, you are putting extra pressure on the body and heart, including the pressure to pump blood throughout the body. Fat blocks and stiffens arteries, narrowing the passageway (blood vessels) through which blood flows. This blood flow obstruction causes high blood pressure. At Worthy Weight Loss, we are committed to helping all our patients in Dallas, Fort Worth, Frisco, Plano, Allen, McKinney and all North Texas; lose weight and control their blood pressure via a healthy lifestyle centered around good nutrition, regular exercise and overall wellness.
