As you grow older, it is important to understand what blood pressure means and how it affects your health. This is exactly what you will get from this article. So, for more valuable information about sheets and logs for it, continue reading below.
As its name suggests,
The pressure of blood in your circulatory system is called blood pressure. It is measured for diagnostic purposes since it is closely related to the rate and force of the heartbeat.
A person’s average blood pressure is constant and measured using mm HG, also known as millimeters of mercury. However, it can vary throughout the day, depending on what you feel.
EXAMPLE
If you are relaxed and you suddenly feel stressed, it is normal to see a spike in your reading. This can cause the arteries to harden or stiffen.
Blood Pressure Log Sheet Templates
Levels of Blood Pressure
There are 4 main categories of blood pressure indicated in the charts. It includes the following:
Normal
Normal reading is within the range of under 120 mm Hg systolic and 80 mm Hg diastolic. If this is your reading, there is no need for you to be alarmed, because that is fine. Just make sure to stay within this range.
Elevated
Elevated is what they used to refer to as pre hypertension. It is between 120-139 mm HG systolic or from 80 to 89 mm Hg diastolic. So, if a patient’s reading is within this range, they are almost across the threshold to become hypertensive.
There can be several causes for why a person’s blood pressure becomes elevated. Some of these causes include a diet that has high cholesterol, fat, and salt content. Genetics and family history can also be other factors.
Hypertension
A hypertension reading is between 140 and 159 mm Hg systolic or 90 and 99 mg Hg diastolic. The causes of hypertension can be similar to elevated. Doctors advise those who have readings between this range to make lifestyle changes. This is mainly because they have a higher risk for stroke.
Hypertensive crisis
A hypertensive crisis is when a patient’s reading is between 160 mm Hg systolic or higher or 100 mm Hg or higher diastolic. A person with these readings has a significantly higher risk of stroke and vessel damage.
A patient can go into a hypertensive crisis if they forget to take their medication. It can also be caused by taking illegal drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine.
Here are some of the common symptoms of hypertensive crisis:
- Difficulty in breathing and speaking
- Change in vision
- Numbness
- Back pain
- Chest pain
High Blood Pressure Signs and Symptoms
High blood pressure does not happen overnight. Instead, it’s one of those conditions that build up over a significant period of time. This is why it’s essential to know its telltale signs during its early onset to prevent serious reactions.
The following are the signs of extremely high reading:
- Chest pain
- Severe headaches
- Fatigue
- Nosebleed
- Confusion
- Pounding ears or chest
- Difficulty in breathing
Other than what’s mentioned above, here are some common symptoms associated with high blood pressure:
- Facial flushing
- Trouble sleeping
- Sweating
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
Suppose you notice any of the symptoms that indicate extremely high blood pressure. In that case, it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible because you might be experiencing a hypertensive crisis. Without proper care or medication, it can lead to stroke, heart attack, or other severe medical conditions.
What Is a Blood Pressure Chart?
A blood pressure chart is a table that indicates the systolic and diastolic figures that correspond to the various categories. This helps ordinary individuals to quickly identify whether their levels are within the normal range or whether they need to do some intervention to avoid going into a hypertensive crisis.
Men
Age | SBP | DBP |
21-25 | 120.5 | 78.5 |
26-30 | 119.5 | 76.5 |
31-35 | 114.5 | 75.5 |
36-40 | 120.5 | 75.5 |
Women
Age | SBP | DBP |
21-25 | 115.5 | 70.5 |
26-30 | 113.5 | 71.5 |
31-35 | 110.5 | 72.5 |
36-40 | 112.5 | 74.5 |
However, take note that these readings can vary according to the patient’s age. The normal is 95-105 mm Hg systolic or 53-66 mm Hg diastolic. Meanwhile, it’s between 112-128 mm Hg systolic or 66-80 mm Hg diastolic for adults.
Importance of Blood Pressure Chart
These charts help diagnose whether a person has low or high blood pressure. The readings also help healthcare workers identify which category belongs to low, average, prehypertension, and hypertensive.
- 90/60 mm Hg and below (Low)
- 90/60 mm Hg – 120/80 mm Hg (Normal)
- 120/80 mm Hg – 140/90 mm Hg (Prehypertension)
- 140/90 mm Hg or above (High)
Understanding Blood Pressure Charts
What Is a Blood Pressure Log?
A log is used to trace the changes in blood pressure readings to help diagnose or make medical decisions for treatments and other interventions. Medical professionals use these but there are also cases when doctors will ask patients to do this.
The main benefit of keeping a record is that it allows patients to relay their readings in a standardized and easy-to-understand manner. In addition, this makes the processing of information for all the stakeholders involved to be much easier.
Take note of the following suggestions when making a record:
- Use high-quality monitor: There are many brands and types of blood pressure monitors. Unfortunately, the accuracy might vary, so it is best to stick with trusted brands.
- Standardize your record sheet: The record sheet should be standardized for uniformity and to make it easier to understand. At the same time, you should also utilize the note section to record special circumstances during the time when you are collecting your readings.
- Take the readings in a conducive environment: Distractions such as noise and an uncomfortable environment might affect the readings. This is why it is best to stay in a quiet and comfortable room.
- Record every reading immediately: Since readings involve numbers, it is only natural to forget them easily. This is why to avoid inaccurate input, make sure to write it down as soon as possible.
- Give the log sheet to your doctor: Your doctor can help you figure out the meaning behind your readings. They can also use it to figure out what are the possible causes of your symptoms.
Blood Pressure Medication Log
A medication log is a type of blood pressure log. However, the difference is that it includes a section wherein a patient can enumerate the medications that they are prescribed to take.
The main purpose of this is to remind the patient to take their medicine. It also helps medical professionals assess whether the medicine they prescribe is working accordingly or needs to make adjustments in their prescriptions.
Why is maintaining a blood pressure log is important?
Readings can change from time to time. This makes it hard to keep track of unless you have a photographic memory, hence it is imperative to maintain a log. Other than that, the log also helps you identify whether you are getting better readings or worse.
Key elements of a blood pressure log sheet
Here are the key elements of a log that you should know about:
- Date: The date when the reading was taken should be indicated. Usually, this is the first section.
- Time: Blood pressure can change throughout the day, so it is highly suggested to take measurements in the morning and the afternoon.
- Pulse: This is the beats over-minute record.
- Systolic: This indicates the systolic pressure measurement.
- Diastolic: This indicates the diastolic pressure measurement.
- Remarks: Here, a patient can indicate if they are feeling any symptoms.
How to Measure Blood Pressure?
Your blood pressure will be measured using a small gauge attached to an inflatable cuff. It is straightforward and painless.
The cuff can be attached to the wrist or forearm, but the most accurate reading is usually taken when attached to the upper arm. After that, doctors or nurses will then use a stethoscope to listen to your heart and tighten and inflate the cuff.
They will then deflate the cuffs, and as it does, the first sound will indicate the systolic measurement. You will hear a whooshing sound afterward. The diastolic measurement is indicated when the sound is gone.
- Systolic Pressure: It is the top number that measures the amount of force exerted by blood on the artery walls every time it beats.
- Diastolic Pressure: This is the bottom number used to measure the force that blood exerts in the arterial walls between every beat.
Please note that it is best done in the morning or before taking any medications when measuring your blood pressure. It is also suggested to take 2 to 3 measurements for the log to ensure its accuracy.
Suppose you have normal reading. It is best to check it yearly to monitor if there are changes. But, if it’s elevated, most doctors will recommend that you check it once every 3-6 months.
However, if you have a history of prehypertension, you need to monitor your blood pressure once a month. The monitoring is even more rigid if you have a history of hypertension, wherein doctors might suggest that you take your readings every day.
Consequences of High and Low Blood Pressure
Having hypertension and hypotension have different consequences. These are:
Low blood pressure
Even in moderate forms, hypotension can result in fainting, weakness, or dizziness. In extreme cases, it can cause your body to be deprived of oxygen, making you unable to function daily and causing brain or heart damage.
High blood pressure
hypertension can be pretty dangerous because it puts an excessive strain on your heart, vessels, and other vital organs. Consistent high blood pressure also increases your risk of several life-threatening health conditions.
Such as:
- Damaged arteries: Usually, arteries are strong and flexible, allowing blood to flow freely. However, hypertension makes it less elastic, tighter, and tougher, resulting in restricted blood flow.
- Damaged heart: The heart becomes stressed when a person’s blood pressure is high. This might later cause an enlarged heart, which can lead to other conditions such as arrhythmias, heart failure, or cardiac arrest.
REMEMBER
Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to health, so don’t hesitate to get a professional opinion.
In case you notice a sudden drop or spike in your blood pressure or encounter any emergency situation related to it, make sure to contact a doctor immediately to avoid further complications.
How to Maintain Healthy Blood Pressure?
Having consistently high blood pressure can cause a lot of problems later on, which is why it is important to keep it within the normal range.
Here are some tips on how to maintain healthy blood pressure:
- Follow a healthy diet: Eating healthy food such as low-fat dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can significantly help lower your blood pressure.
- Adjust your meal portion: Consuming plenty of food containing sodium, fat, and cholesterol can increase your blood pressure, so it is important to eat these in moderation.
- Cut sugar: Consuming sugary food increases your insulin levels which causes the sympathetic nervous system to be activated, causing the blood pressure and heart rate to spike.
- Set weight loss goals: Weight can significantly increase the blood pressure around the abdominal area. This is why many doctors will suggest that you lose weight in an effort to control it.
- Monitoring: Monitoring your blood pressure will give you a good idea of whether you are at risk of serious conditions such as heart attacks or strokes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The normal readings per age are as follows:
If your blood pressure is 140/90, you are having a perilous hypertension crisis. If this is your measurement, it is best to see a doctor immediately so that you can get the appropriate help in lowering your levels.
In most cases, those with a reading in this range will be given an intravenous medication to avoid organ damage.
No, it is not a good reading because this indicates that you have hypertension. This means that your body’s arterioles or smaller blood vessels are narrowing down, causing more pressure on the vessel walls. This makes your heart work harder as well, putting you at risk for heart attack or stroke.
No, a reading of 140/89 is still not good because it is still within the range of hypertension.
Suppose this is your reading. In that case, it is best to see a doctor immediately to prescribe you the appropriate medication that can help regulate your blood pressure. This way, you can significantly mitigate the risk of developing severe medical conditions.
Mm, Hg is the abbreviation for millimeters of mercury. Pressure is measured as such because mercury is way denser than blood or water.
The chart is straightforward. All you have to do is find your systolic and diastolic numbers.
The systolic number is found on the left side of the chart. Meanwhile, the diastolic number is located at the bottom. The two lines where they intersect are the reading.
The chart also indicates whether the reading is low, average, hypertension, or a hypertensive crisis. Most of these charts are color-coded, so it is easy to determine the reading category.