How do I measure my BP ?
Blood pressure can be measured by BP machine which is a battery operated electronic apparatus having a display. It’s connected to a cuff by rubber tube, this cuff is wrapped around your arm and inflated when you press power button and the BP readings are displayed in a minute.
Are readings of BP machine reliable ?
Electronic BP machines are quite reliable in measuring BP. They may give a reading with error of 5% but it can be reliably reduced by taking three sequential readings and taking an average of those readings.
Which Reading is more risky Upper BP or lower BP reading ?
The BP readings are expressed as 120/80 or something like that, Upper value corresponds to heart contraction or pumping phase and is termed Systolic BP and the lower one is called Diastolic BP and corresponds to relaxation phase of cardiac cycle.
Is Hypertension and high BP same ?
Yes high BP is a layman term for hypertension, both terms denote the same problem.
BP is considered as raised when BP reading is more than 120/80 mmHg.
This is very ideal value and may not be applicable to all the age groups hence there is more rationalisation of BP reading than this value, a BP readings up to 140/90 is termed as higher than normal reading or prehypertension and might be acceptable provided that other problems are not there, notably diabetes, dyslipidemia or kidney disorders where the BP has to be kept below 130/80.
How to measure the severity of hypertension ?
Hypertension is known to cause harm to our body and health and the extent of damage is related to its grades of severity.
Hypertension is categorised into two grades Grade-1 hypertension and Grade-2 hypertension. Grade1 hypertension is from 140 to 160 systolic and 80 to 90 diastolic blood pressure and Grade2 hypertension is readings more than 160/90 mmHg.
My heart rate is very fast, I feel racing heart or fast beats or palpitations at times ?
Many patients have rapid resting heart rate which is called tachycardia.
When it’s more than 100/min. Although considered as a benign condition if your heart rate remains persistently more than hundred or it is associated with frequent episodes of palpitation or racing heart then you need to consult a physician with your 12 lead ECG test. You may be harbouring some significant cardiac issue which your physician will recognise.
Is blood pressure hereditary disease ?
If you have a strong family history in the family then there are high chances that you will develop hypertension sooner or later in life but if you are vigilant and take sufficient preventive efforts then you may remain in normal health and can delay the onset of hypertension for decades.
I don’t have any symptoms still do I need to worry about BP ?
BP is just like other chronic diseases like diabetes and kidney diseases where you hardly get symptoms till it is too late. The best way to diagnose hypertension is to monitor it or visit your nearby physician who can easily detect it just by measuring it.
If I start treatment of BP, can I get habitual of it in other words I don’t want to start BP medicine because I will need to take it life long?
It is very common confusion in public regarding BP that if I start medicine then I will need to take it forever which is not the case.
You need to take medicine so to ensure safety because high blood pressure may lead to heart attacks, stroke or renal failure. These ailments can be effectively prevented if you consult a physician in time and follow the lifestyle modification along with the medication. In due course of time when your heart and blood vessels get better the medicines can be tapered off and you may remain healthy just on controlled lifestyle
What are side effects of BP medicines ?
The BP medicines are much safer when you compare the damage caused by BP which is left untreated. Slight headache, laziness, dryness of mouth or excessive urination may be observed for initial period say for 3-7 days when body adjust to new levels of BP.
Please note that the treatment of BP must be taken very regularly because irregular treatment may be as harmful as no treatment at all.
Some patients opine that they take the medicine when there is some symptoms like dizziness or heaviness in head etc.
Please be informed that symptoms of blood pressure are very inconsistent that is same person may have symptoms at one time with a BP as usual as 150/80 but at the other time the same person may remain totally without symptoms even when his BP reading is in accelerated hypertension the range that is crossing 180/120 mmHg.
Can I take medicines which my father or mother or family member is taking ?
It is very tempting to take medicine that someone in the family is already taking but it should be noted that BP is a very complex disease and it needs a thorough assessment of your clinical condition so to make a plan of suitable medicine combination. The treatment of hypertension should be taken in the consultation of a qualified physician who has years of experience in managing BP patients, you can find these doctors in your neighbourhood called as physician or MD medicine doctors.