February 21, 2017 9:28 AM CET
B's in this series stands for Blood pressure, Blood glucose and Body mass index
Blood Pressure: Is explained as the force exerted on the arterial wall, as the heart beats and pumps blood into the blood vessels which carry the blood throughout the body, the blood pushes against the walls of these blood vessels. the measure of the force of this push against the walls of the arteries is known as blood pressure. it is measured in millimeter of mercury(mmhg) a typical blood pressure reading appears this way 120/70. The number on top is the systolic while the number below is the diastolic
SYSTOLIC
the top number
It is the pressure on the arteries when the heart contracts
A normal systolic is between 90 & 119
A systolic BP of 120-139 indicates Pre-hypertension
A systolic BP of 140 or higher is considered hypertension(140-159- stage 1; ≥160-stage 2)
DIASTOLIC
Is the bottom number
It is the pressure on the arteries when the heart relaxes
A normal diastolic is between 60 & 79
A diastolic BP between 80 and 89 indicates pre-hypertension
A diastolic BP of 90 or higher is considered hypertension(90-99-stage1; ≥100- stage2)
SOME BLOOD PRESSURE FACTS
According To WHO, High Blood Pressure Is Estimated To Cause 7.5million Deaths Worldwide. That’s 12.8% Of The Total Of All Deaths.
In 2008, about 1billion people had uncontrolled hypertension worldwide.
According to research, in 2010, there were more than 20 million cases of hypertension in Nigeria affecting one-in-three men, and one-in-four women. this is set to rise to 39 million cases by 2030.
WHY YOU HAVE TO CHECK YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
It helps in early detection of hypertension (We’ll be talking about hypertension in our future write-up)
It helps in the prevention of hypertension complications
It further helps in the management of people with hypertension.
It also helps in making medically wise life-style choices
WAYS OF CHECKING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
You can have your blood pressure checked regularly at any health centre close to you, One Primary Health Care centre Is probably close to you and checking your blood pressure in Government owned Primary Health Care centre is free but you might be charged a token if you patronise private owned health centres or clinics.
You can do it yourself: It is advisable to purchase an electronic sphygmomanometer which is battery powered all you need do is just to follow direction for use and you will have your blood pressure value displayed on the screen. Making use of manual Sphygmomanometer requires the some level of clinical skills and expertise.
You can also have your blood pressure checked for free at health out reaches organised by churches or other organisations close to you.
LASTLY
You don’t have to be afraid of knowing your numbers or dread hypertension all you need do is to be familiar with your numbers, live right, confess the word of God and you are good to go.
Stay Healthy and Wealthy