What should your blood pressure be?
Posted on January 20 2021
Your blood pressure is a good indicator of your overall health. If it’s too high or too low, it can increase your chances of developing severe health issues. So, what should your blood pressure be?
In an average, active, healthy person, blood pressure should be around 120/80 mmHg (see below).
While it is normal for it to be a little higher or lower than this, if it’s too far either way, it could mean you have an underlying health issue that needs exploring.Your blood pressure is important because all your body’s major organs, cells and muscles receive oxygen and nutrients from your blood.
A strong, regular heartbeat will help blood flow around your body as it should, to keep all your essential functions working correctly.
However, if you have heart or circulatory problems, such as narrowed blood vessels or a weaker heartbeat, it will make it harder for blood to be pumped around your body as it should.
Over time, this could lead to damage to your cells and organs, because they aren’t receiving the oxygen, nutrition and fuel they need to grow.
Easting a healthy diet and keeping yourself fit and active will help improve your heart and circulatory health while cutting back on junk food, smoking and alcohol will also help keep your blood pressure in the right region.
So, for a better understanding of what your blood pressure should be and why, read on…
WHAT IS BLOOD PRESSURE?
Your blood pressure is the force at which heart pumps blood around your body.It is measured in units of millimetres of mercury (mmHg).
There are two numbers to look for when it comes to measuring your blood pressure:
- Systolic pressure measures the pressure created when the heart muscle contracts and pumps oxygen-rich blood into your blood vessels
- Diastolic pressure measures the pressure on the blood vessels when the heart muscle relaxes.
Your blood pressure can fluctuate throughout the day because of factors including exercise or activity levels, diet, hydration or stress.
However, if your blood pressure remains too high for long periods, it can put extra strain on your heart and blood vessels, which can start to cause other health problems.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when your blood pressure consistently reaches 140/90 mmHg or higher.
Over time, hypertension can cause the arteries to become thicker and narrow the space through which the blood flows. If untreated, they are left prone to clogging more easily and can eventually lead to a heart attack or stroke.
On the other hand, low blood pressure, or hypotension, is defined as blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg or below. There are many possible causes of low blood pressure, including your fitness levels, pregnancy, medication or medical conditions such as diabetes.
Having a family history of hypertension or hypotension increases your chances of developing it too.
Blood pressure tends to increase with age, while excessive long-term alcohol consumption can also cause it.
People who are overweight are more prone to developing high blood pressure, and so are those who smoke or eat a diet that is high in saturated fat and processed sugar.
Increased stress can also lead to hypertension, so it’s important to get plenty of rest and relaxation and learn to unwind with exercise, music, mindfulness or meditation.
Aromatherapy, using your favourite calming essential oils, can also help.
WHAT IS A GOOD PRESSURE READING?
As we said above, in an average, healthy adult male or female, a blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg is what you should aim for. If your blood pressure is a little either side of this, it’s not usually something to be overly concerned about.High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease, so monitoring it closely is essential.
Making lifestyle changes such as cleaning up your diet, cutting back on alcohol, stopping smoking and getting more active can all help bring your blood pressure down to a more acceptable level without the need for medication.
Taking natural supplements such as Lily & Loaf Circulate, our key system product for the circulatory system, and CoQ10, which helps your cells generate energy, can also help.
Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to a host of other severe health conditions including kidney damage, sight loss, memory problems and impaired lung function.
Low blood pressure, on the other hand, tends to be less serious. It can result in symptoms including dizziness or fainting and fatigue, but if left untreated can lead to heart, brain or other organ damage.
WHAT IS AVERAGE BLOOD PRESSURE BY AGE?
While blood pressure varies from person to person, you shouldn’t be unduly worried if your reading falls within the following ranges:
| FEMALE | MALE | |
| 1 - 2 | 80/34 – 120/75 | 83/38 – 117/76 |
| 3 - 8 | 100/59 – 107/71 | 100/61 – 108/71 |
| 9 - 16 | 109/72 – 120/78 | 110/72 – 120/78 |
| 17 - 24 | 120/80 | 120/80 |
| 25 - 40 | 120/80 – 124/83 | 121/80 – 124/83 |
| 41 - 55 | 124/83 – 129/85 | 125/83 – 128/85 |
| 56 - 60 | 129/85 – 130/86 | 128/85 – 131/87 |
| 60+ | 134/84 | 135/88 |
WHAT IS DANGEROUSLY LOW BLOOD PRESSURE?
If your blood pressure is lower 90/60mmHg, you’ve probably got hypotension. While it is not something to usually worry about, if you start suffering from symptoms including dizziness or light-headedness, nausea, fainting, dehydration or thirst, blurred vision, clammy or pale skin or shortness of breath, you should get it checked out.Heart conditions can cause low blood pressure, endocrine problems such as issues with your thyroid or adrenal glands, severe infection or anaphylactic shock bought on by an allergic reaction to something. If you think you are suffering from hypotension, get yourself rehydrated, top-up on Vitamin B and Sodium and eat something. Getting your blood sugar levels and thyroid checked out will help identify any underlying health conditions. Drinking caffeinated tea or coffee can also prompt a spike in blood pressure to help alleviate any symptoms.
However, if symptoms persist, you should seek medical assistance just to be on the safe side.
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