What is the normal blood pressure of an adult?

Blood pressure is a measure of how strong the heart pumps blood throughout your body. In order for maximum body performance, you must have normal blood pressure. So, what is normal blood pressure in adults?

Generally, adults with a healthy body condition have a normal blood pressure of around 90/60 mmHg up to 120/80 mmHg. Figures 120 and 90 indicate the level of pressure when the heart pumps blood throughout the body or commonly called systolic pressure. While the numbers 80 and 60 mean the level of pressure when the heart rests for a while before returning to pump again, or often called diastolic pressure.

Normal blood pressure can go up or down depending on the physical activity you live and your emotional condition. So you don't need to panic when you find your blood pressure different, provided that the number is not consistently high or low for a long time.

If that happens, you have hypertension (high blood pressure) or hypotension (low blood pressure). This condition is one sign of a disruption to your health.

Hypertension

You are said to have hypertension when your blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg or more. In fact, these life-threatening conditions often do not show symptoms, so many sufferers do not know if they have hypertension.

Hypertension that is not treated properly can lead to deadly diseases such as strokes and heart attacks, but it can also interfere with vision, and cause fatal damage to other organs such as the kidneys.

People at risk for hypertension include those who are overweight, smokers, over 55 years old, alcoholics, rarely exercise, and like to eat foods that are salty and low in potassium and calcium. In addition, those who have family members who suffer from hypertension, diabetes or heart disease are also more at risk.

Hypotension

This condition occurs when your blood pressure is below 90/60 mmHg. Generally, low blood pressure, even though chronic, is not dangerous if the patient does not experience symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, thirst, unclear vision, rapid and shallow breathing, lack of concentration, and fainting.

Although relatively mild, blood pressure that is too low can trigger damage to the heart and brain. The following are things that can trigger hypotension:

• Dehydration.
• Pregnancy.
• Anemia.
• Hormonal imbalances, for example, suffer from Addison's disease.
• Have allergies or infections
• Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Losing a lot of blood.
• Use of certain drugs, such as Parkinson's drugs, sildenafil (Viagra) and the like, antidepressant drugs, and some drugs that directly affect blood vessel muscles such as beta and alpha blockers.
• Heart problems.

Come Control Your Blood Pressure

An easy way to control your blood pressure is to check it regularly. If you have normal blood pressure, you are advised to check it at least every two years or follow the doctor's instructions.

If your blood pressure is between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg, you are advised to check it every three to six months or follow your doctor's advice. If your blood pressure reaches 140/90 mmHg or more, immediately consult your doctor so that you can get good medical treatment.

You can find out the blood pressure with the help of a device called a sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure checks can be done in the hospital or at home.

You can ask your doctor about a blood pressure measuring device that is suitable and easy to use for lay people. When you have purchased the tool, you can take it to the hospital to match the results of your blood pressure gauge and your doctor. If the results are appropriate, you can check your blood pressure yourself, whenever you feel the need.

But remember, half an hour before checking blood pressure, you are not recommended to smoke, drink caffeine or exercise, so the results are accurate.

Hypertension sufferers are strongly advised to check blood pressure regularly at home, and report the results to the doctor. This can help you and your doctor to monitor your blood pressure and the effectiveness of the drug. Sometimes, there are some people who feel tense when they come to the hospital so that their blood pressure increases when examined by a doctor. Even if at home, blood pressure is normal.

Even though hypotension does not cause symptoms, you should still check it regularly. For more details, you can consult a doctor. Regular checks are also needed if you experience hypotension accompanied by certain symptoms because it can have serious consequences.


Tips for Getting Normal Blood Pressure

For those who have high blood pressure, you can have normal blood pressure by doing the following:

1. Exercise
Physical activity can stimulate the body to produce nitric acid. This substance can make blood vessels open so that it reduces blood pressure. By exercising means you strengthen the heart muscle, reduce stress and avoid obesity, one of the triggers of hypertension.

2. Balanced use of salt
Our bodies only need 500 mg of salt per day. The latest recommendation recommends limiting the maximum daily salt intake to 2400 mg, which is equivalent to approximately 1 teaspoon.

3. Apply a healthy diet and balanced nutrition
Eat healthy foods to avoid hypertension. The recommended foods are vegetables, fruit, fish, poultry meat, nuts, low-fat milk and whole grains. Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages

4. Avoid excessive stress
It's not difficult to deal with stress, you can learn techniques to calm your mind like breathing techniques, meditation or muscle relaxation.

As for those who have low blood pressure, some of the things below can be done to increase blood pressure:

1. Drink plenty of waterApart from preventing dehydration, fluids can also increase blood pressure. Therefore, just keep your daily fluid needs every day.

2. Add salt to the food
Contrary to high blood pressure patients who have to limit salt consumption, low blood sufferers can use more salt. However, consult with your doctor about how much you can consume.

3. Use special stockings
Special elastic stockings can be used to reduce pain and swelling due to varicose veins which leads to a reduction in blood collection in the leg area.

This normal blood pressure applies to adults. This number is different for children and adolescents. For more details, you can consult this to the doctor.

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