Understanding 120/79 Blood Pressure: What It Means and How to Manage It
As you age, your doctor becomes more insistent about monitoring your blood pressure. You may hear terms like systolic and diastolic, but what do they mean? And what is considered a healthy blood pressure reading?
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. When your heart beats, it pumps blood into your arteries, which creates pressure against the artery walls. This is known as systolic pressure. When your heart is at rest between beats, the pressure decreases, which is known as diastolic pressure. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
What is a Normal Blood Pressure Reading?
According to the American Heart Association, a normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mm Hg. The top number, or systolic pressure, should be less than 120 mm Hg, and the bottom number, or diastolic pressure, should be less than 80 mm Hg.
What Does 120/79 Blood Pressure Mean?
A blood pressure reading of 120/79 mm Hg is considered normal. The systolic pressure is 120 mm Hg, which means the force of blood against the artery walls when the heart beats is within the healthy range. The diastolic pressure is 79 mm Hg, which means the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats is also within the healthy range.
What Can Cause High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition that can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Some factors that can contribute to high blood pressure include:
- Smoking
- Being overweight or obese
- Lack of physical activity
- High salt intake
- Stress
- Family history of high blood pressure
How Can You Manage Your Blood Pressure?
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to help manage your condition. These may include:
- Eating a healthy diet that is low in salt and saturated fat
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking
- Reducing stress
- Taking medication as prescribed by your doctor
Conclusion
Monitoring your blood pressure is an important part of maintaining your overall health. A reading of 120/79 mm Hg is considered normal, but if your blood pressure is consistently higher than this, talk to your doctor about ways to manage your condition and reduce your risk of developing serious health problems.
Post a Comment for "Understanding 120/79 Blood Pressure: What It Means and How to Manage It"