What does a blood pressure reading of 109/64 indicate. How can you maintain this ideal blood pressure level. What lifestyle changes can help preserve optimal cardiovascular health. What are the benefits of having normal blood pressure.

Decoding Your Blood Pressure Reading: What 109/64 Means

A blood pressure reading of 109/64 mmHg is considered perfectly normal and falls well within the American Heart Association’s guidelines for optimal blood pressure. But what exactly do these numbers signify?

The first number, 109, represents the systolic pressure – the force exerted on artery walls when the heart contracts and pumps blood. The second number, 64, indicates the diastolic pressure – the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.

This reading indicates that your cardiovascular system is functioning efficiently, with your heart pumping blood effectively and your arteries maintaining appropriate elasticity. It’s a positive indicator of overall cardiovascular health.

Is 109/64 considered a good blood pressure reading?

Indeed, 109/64 is an excellent blood pressure reading. It falls comfortably within the normal range of 90/60 to 120/80 mmHg, indicating optimal cardiovascular function. This reading suggests that your heart is working efficiently without putting undue stress on your arteries.

The Importance of Maintaining Ideal Blood Pressure

Maintaining an ideal blood pressure, such as 109/64, offers numerous health benefits. Let’s explore some of these advantages:

• Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
• Lower likelihood of kidney damage
• Improved cognitive function and reduced risk of dementia
• Better overall circulation, promoting health in all body systems
• Decreased risk of vision problems related to hypertension
• Enhanced longevity and quality of life

By maintaining a blood pressure close to 109/64, you’re giving your body the best chance to function optimally and ward off various health issues associated with hypertension or hypotension.

Lifestyle Factors Contributing to Optimal Blood Pressure

If your blood pressure reading is 109/64, it’s likely that you’re already engaging in healthy lifestyle practices. However, it’s crucial to understand and maintain these habits to preserve your ideal blood pressure. Here are some key factors that contribute to healthy blood pressure:

How does diet impact blood pressure?

Diet plays a significant role in maintaining healthy blood pressure. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help keep your blood pressure in check. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which emphasizes these food groups while limiting sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars, has been shown to be particularly effective.

What role does exercise play in blood pressure regulation?

Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining healthy blood pressure. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week. Activities like brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming can help keep your cardiovascular system in top shape.

How does stress management affect blood pressure?

Chronic stress can contribute to elevated blood pressure. Incorporating stress-management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or regular relaxation practices can help maintain optimal blood pressure levels.

Monitoring and Maintaining Your 109/64 Blood Pressure

While a blood pressure reading of 109/64 is excellent, it’s important to continue monitoring your blood pressure regularly. Here are some tips for maintaining your healthy blood pressure:

1. Invest in a reliable home blood pressure monitor
2. Check your blood pressure at consistent times of day
3. Keep a log of your readings to track any changes over time
4. Share your blood pressure log with your healthcare provider during check-ups
5. Continue with annual health check-ups, even if your blood pressure is normal

How often should you check your blood pressure if it’s normal?

For individuals with normal blood pressure like 109/64, it’s generally recommended to check your blood pressure at least once a year. However, if you have a family history of hypertension or other risk factors, your doctor may suggest more frequent monitoring.

Understanding Blood Pressure Fluctuations

It’s normal for blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day. Various factors can cause these fluctuations:

• Time of day (blood pressure is typically lower at night and rises in the morning)
• Physical activity
• Stress levels
• Hydration status
• Recent meals (especially those high in sodium)
• Caffeine or alcohol consumption

Can blood pressure change from 109/64 to an unhealthy range quickly?

While it’s unlikely for blood pressure to change dramatically from a healthy 109/64 to an unhealthy range quickly, it’s not impossible. Sudden severe stress, certain medications, or underlying health conditions could potentially cause rapid changes. This is why regular monitoring is important, even if your blood pressure is currently ideal.

Nutritional Strategies for Maintaining Optimal Blood Pressure

A balanced diet is crucial for maintaining healthy blood pressure. Here are some nutritional strategies to help keep your blood pressure at an optimal level like 109/64:

Which foods can help maintain healthy blood pressure?

Several foods have been shown to support healthy blood pressure levels:

• Leafy greens (spinach, kale, collard greens)
• Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)
• Beets and beet juice
• Fatty fish rich in omega-3s (salmon, mackerel, sardines)
• Nuts and seeds
• Garlic and herbs
• Dark chocolate (in moderation)

How does sodium intake affect blood pressure?

While sodium is an essential nutrient, excessive intake can lead to increased blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium intake to no more than 2,300 mg per day, with an ideal limit of 1,500 mg for most adults. Reading food labels, choosing low-sodium options, and limiting processed foods can help control sodium intake.

The Role of Hydration in Blood Pressure Regulation

Proper hydration is often overlooked in discussions about blood pressure, but it plays a crucial role in maintaining cardiovascular health. Adequate fluid intake helps maintain blood volume, supports proper circulation, and aids in the elimination of waste products.

How much water should you drink to maintain healthy blood pressure?

While individual needs may vary, a general guideline is to aim for about 8 cups (64 ounces) of fluid per day for most adults. This can come from water, herbal teas, and water-rich foods. However, individuals with certain health conditions may need to adjust their fluid intake based on their doctor’s recommendations.

The Impact of Sleep on Blood Pressure

Quality sleep is essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure. During normal sleep, blood pressure typically drops by 10-20%, a phenomenon known as nocturnal dipping. This nightly dip in blood pressure is important for cardiovascular health.

How many hours of sleep are optimal for maintaining healthy blood pressure?

Most adults should aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Consistently getting less than 6 hours or more than 9 hours of sleep may be associated with increased risk of hypertension. Establishing a regular sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and ensuring a comfortable sleep environment can all contribute to better sleep quality and, by extension, healthier blood pressure.

Maintaining a blood pressure of 109/64 is an excellent health indicator. By understanding the factors that contribute to this optimal reading and implementing strategies to preserve it, you can support your long-term cardiovascular health and overall well-being. Remember, while this reading is ideal, regular check-ups and a healthy lifestyle remain crucial for sustained health.

Blood Pressure 109/64: What Does It Indicate?

A blood pressure of 109/64 indicates that your blood pressure is PERFECTLY NORMAL, and on par with the American Heart Association guidelines.

This article tells you:

• What does a 109/64 blood pressure mean?
• What should you do if you have 109/64 blood pressure?
• Some easy to do home remedies and supplementations.
• Frequently asked question that will answer many of your queries regarding your 109/64 blood pressure.

What does a 109/64 blood pressure mean?

The blood pressure reading 109/64 indicates that the person in question has ideal blood pressure.

If a person has blood pressure within the range of [90/60] and [120/80], it will mean that the person has perfect blood pressure.

By extension, the blood pressure value of 109/64 means that the person is not at a prominent risk of any heart disease. His/her heart is functioning the way a healthy person’s heart should, and that is significantly good for that person.

Ideal blood pressure is the state in which the blood flowing through the blood vessels applies just the right amount of pressure over those and the heart walls. As an effect of this, the heart can pump blood to all the parts of the body rather effectively.

109/64 signifies that the lifestyle that you have adapted yourself to is well-supported by your body and health. Also, if you were to keep up with the same lifestyle, it would eliminate the possible risk of chronic heart disease from your life.

If you happen to have healthy blood pressure, then it will help improve your health in more ways than just one. Some of the benefits that are supported by your body for having an ideal blood pressure are as follows:

• An ideal blood pressure protects you from imminent risks of heart problems.
• It is an indication that you are not suffering from diabetes and that your endocrine glands are functioning perfectly.
• Ideal blood pressure helps you maintain the ideal body weight for you.
• Having an ideal blood pressure relatively decreases the possibility of heart and kidney failure.
• It will help in the regulation of minerals within your body.
• Ideal blood pressure decreases the possibility of stroke for you.

What should you do if you have 109/64 blood pressure?

Here is a set-by-step procedure to follow when you figure out you have a blood pressure of 109/64.

1. Your doctor has to diagnose

If your blood is 109/64 and you have checked the same in your home setup, it is highly recommended to get it checked at your doctor’s office.

A trained professional has to clinically assess your condition and confirm that your 109/64 is, in fact, clinically valid.

There are instances when your reading at home setup might give you a reading which is incorrectly reported. It could be because of an error in reading it, damage to your device, your physical or mental condition on that particular day, etc.

Therefore, a doctor has to assess it over the course of 7 – 30 days periodically before he/she can confirm the accurate stage of your blood pressure.

In some cases, a patient might report wrong blood pressure in a hospital setup, called white coat hypertension. Here the patient may show higher blood pressure than their actual because of the anxiety inside a hospital environment.

In contrast, some patients may have masked hypertension in which the person may show lower blood pressure at clinical setup, but at home, they may have higher blood pressure.

All these conditions are linked to physiology and psychology and, therefore, better to be validated by a doctor.

2. Keep it up!

The blood pressure readings of 109/64 are relatively good, even taking into consideration the entire range of the ideal blood pressure.

But just because it is good now does not mean that things won’t change over time. Considering that distinct possibility, you should stick to a lifestyle that will help keep you fit and support your health.

Following are some of the habits that you should adopt in your lifestyle to keep yourself healthy all the time:

• Try to maintain that it is in equilibrium with your age and lifestyle.
• Eat healthy meals and exercise regularly.
• Regulate the consumption of salts.
• Support the intake of natural supplements whenever you feel those to be necessary for your body.
• Take proper rest every day. Your rest and sleep should be priorities for you.
• Quit smoking and keep your alcohol consumption in a check.
• Do not subject yourself to excess stress and anxiety, or this might turn into an emotional burden for you.

3. Do you need any medicine to keep this up?

At this stage, you don’t need any medications and all thanks to those perfect numbers you have seen.

All you can do is indulge in a healthy amount of workouts and other physical activities with a good watch over general health.

Routine health checkups and periodic blood pressure measurements are critical at this stage, which is what most people miss doing firsthand.

Unlike people with hyper or hypotension, you don’t need to actively regulate your blood pressure; however, passive efforts to indirectly keep it under control shall be followed.

Water pills and diuretics are sometimes recommended by doctors after assessing the electrolyte concentration in your body. However, in most cases, you may also don’t want it.

If you are a little lazy to hit the gym for your cardio, then we have included some products in the dietary supplement class that you can consider. 

4. Diet check for 109/64 blood pressure

Your blood pressure and overall health are directly related to the type of food consumed daily.

Therefore, if you were to keep your dietary habits in a firm check and eat healthy meals, that would significantly contribute to your overall health. It will be good for your body as well as your mind

Following are some of the facts that you should take into account before planning your diet:

• Regulate the consumption of sodium salts: Sodium is an important nutrient for the human body. And the concentration of this salt has a direct impact on your blood pressure. By regulating its intake, you can maintain your blood pressure.
• Caffeine: Caffeine-related products contribute to increasing the blood pressure of a person. If the consumption of these products is not kept in check, it may lead to high blood pressure.
• Drink plenty of water: Keep yourself hydrated all the time. This will help maintain the level of fluids and salt in your body.
• Alcohol: High consumption of alcohol can lead to low blood pressure. Besides this, the consumption of alcohol in excess can not serve any good purpose as it dehydrates your body rather rapidly.
• Herbs and spices: Support the intake of herbs and spices that will help maintain your ideal blood pressure. Many natural herbs can serve that purpose.
• Supplements: Do not hesitate to opt for natural supplements if your body lacks nutrients or minerals of any kind. Besides, these are the first things that physiotherapists advise individuals who suffer from problems in blood pressure because of a lack of minerals.

5. Do I need more tests for my heart?

109/64 is a perfect value that one might want to see when their blood pressure is being checked. Still, does it mean you are perfectly fine? Should you conduct more studies to get a conclusive stat regarding your heart health?

Technically speaking, a perfect blood pressure reading isn’t the ultimate predictor of heart health. In fact, some people undergoing a heat attack may show no change in blood pressure or even exhibit hypotension.

However, blood pressure reading, in most cases, is a direct estimator of heart health. But the problem is that only a variation in reading would denote a cardiovascular problem.

 This is why the physician opts for having an ECG or echocardiography in order to seek better clarity on your cardio health.

The above is often read in reference to your blood test reports and other health assessment parameters to draw a conclusion.

6. Natural supplements for your rescue

Sometimes managing blood pressure is all about supplementing your body with the right diet. Food is undoubtedly the best primary source to supplement your body.

However, in the current scenarios, we all know how much adultered our foodstuff is, and most of us are pushed towards processed foods to feed ourselves in this fast-paced world.

All these food are high in sugar and sodium and doesn’t contain any vital nutrients that are important for a healthy heart.

This is where some of the nutraceutical-based blood pressure supplements come in handy. These products combine all critical nutrients your heart craves, thereby assisting the better function of your cardiovascular system.

Generally, these supplements are a concoction of herbs, plant-based products, dairy products, and some animal products. They are 100% organic and natural and don’t contain any harmful chemicals.

If you are hearing about these segments of products for the first time,  to start with, you may blindly go for Blood Pressure Support from Vita Balance Inc, Blood Pressure Optimizer from HFL, or Corsanum, marketed by PLT Group.

The only one thing to keep in mind is that choose the best blood pressure supplement, because when it comes to the heart, there is no taking of risk!

So having an 109/64 is the ideal blood pressure, and you can keep doing whatever you have been doing so far.

You may now know the thrust areas of health to focus on and some diet plans that you may want to befriend.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is the blood pressure, and what are the normal values?

Blood pressure is the pressure that is exerted by the blood flowing through arteries over those. Alongside that, this is the efficiency with which the blood is pumped by the heart to all the parts of the body through the circulatory system.

The normal values for blood pressure are between [90/60] and [120/80]. If a person has a blood pressure equivalent to this much, then it means that the blood will be flowing through the arteries relatively easily.

2. What is considered to be high blood pressure?

Blood pressure over the value of [130/80] is considered high blood pressure. This signifies that high pressure is being exerted by the blood flowing through the vessels over those.

And therefore, it is difficult for the human heart to be able to pump blood to all the parts of the body rather efficiently. This is a problem that can arise when the size of the vessels is contracted compared to the original size.

3. What is considered to be low blood pressure?

A blood pressure lesser than the value of [90/60] is termed low blood pressure. This type of value means that low pressure is put forward by the blood over the vessels that are carrying it. It can also be taken as a measure that, the blood is not able to reach all the parts of the body.

Or, the heart is not capable of circulating blood to all the parts of the body in an effective way. This problem in blood pressure is mainly the effect of dehydration and pregnancy.

4. What are hypertension and hypotension? Are they both the same as high and low blood pressure?

Hypertension is the condition that emerges when a person is having high blood pressure. Because of contraction in vessels, the blood can not flow through the vessels efficiently, and therefore, high pressure is exerted over the blood vessels, this particular condition is high blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension.

Hypotension is the condition that comes into effect when the blood pressure of a person is lower compared to the ideal value of blood pressure. This means that the heart is unable to pump blood through the blood vessels to all the body parts. This type of situation when observed is called low blood pressure, or hypotension.

5. What will happen to your general health when you have high blood pressure?

High blood pressure puts you at an imminent risk of arteries rupture because of the high pressure applied over those by the circulating blood. This can, in turn, affect the circulation of blood to all the parts of the body, and your heart itself. And, the latter part can lead you to some serious heart diseases. The high pressure applied over the heart walls can put you close to the risk of heart attack and heart failure.

6. What causes high blood pressure and low blood pressure?

The medical conditions of high blood pressure and low blood pressure are both effects of the lifestyle that we lead. This means that if we adapt to a lifestyle that is in line with our body and overall physical fitness, then we will have ideal blood pressure.

But, if our lifestyle is deviated from what we had started, some medical conditions can arise. High blood pressure and low blood pressure are some of those problems.

7. What are the risks of having high blood pressure?

The most serious risk that is faced by an individual that is suffering from high blood pressure is the risk of heart attack, heart failure, or some chronic disease related to the heart.

Moreover, there are also the additional risks of strokes, vision loss, diabetes, kidney failure, unresponsiveness to external stimuli, chronic chest pain, artery damage, and vascular dementia.

8. What can I do to lower my blood pressure?

To lower your blood pressure, the foremost step should be to limit the intake of sodium salts. Then, it will be good for you to opt for a healthy lifestyle; eat healthy meals and exercise daily. Try to maintain your weight to healthy proportions. Limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine-related beverages, and quit smoking.

Also, you need to have an adequate amount of rest every day and keep your stress and anxiety in proper check. If you continue to face high blood pressure problems even after making these changes in your lifestyle, it will be good for you to consult with a physiotherapist to discuss your blood pressure medications.

9. What are the risks of having low blood pressure?

The harmful effects that are associated with low blood pressure are not as prominent as what is associated with high blood pressure, but they can serve to be just as much harmful in the long run. Low blood pressure can lead to lightheadedness, dizziness, and confusion for a prolonged period.

This is a condition that can make you weak physically as well as mentally. Low blood pressure leads to a depletion in the effectiveness of motor senses, and the subject is likely to faint from time to time. This condition can also lead to blurred vision and can damage peripheral nerves over a long time.

10. What can I do to increase my blood pressure?

Increase the usage of table salts in your diet, and drink plenty of water. Limit your intake of alcohol as it is a dehydrating agent. Increase your diet by taking small meals multiple times with low carbs. Exercise daily and try to take up a lifestyle that will be good for your health and physical well-being.

Try to maintain a body weight that will be good as per your physical stature and age. Avoid changing positions abruptly, and wear compression stockings to improve blood flow in the legs. Also, consult a physiotherapist regarding your medications for low blood pressure.

11. Can smoking and alcohol affect my blood pressure?

Smoking and alcohol have an active impact on the blood pressure levels of an individual. These can lead to an effective change in the size of arteries that carry blood to all the parts of the body.

Heavy intake of alcohol can increase blood pressure in individuals to a significantly high level and this can even lead to long-term blood pressure issues in the individual. On the other hand, smoking is as bad as it can be. It leads to the contraction of blood vessels, which increases the pressure of blood over the heart walls. This puts you at risk of heart disease.

12. How to correctly check my blood pressure at home?

If you want to check your blood pressure at home, you can use portable blood pressure monitors to do so. These are highly adaptable and can help provide you with your blood pressure levels closest to accurate.

But if you are seeking precision in the readings, then it will be good if you were to follow certain measures. For once, avoid intake of caffeine and alcohol before taking the reading. And, have a proper rest of nearly 10 minutes before measuring your blood pressure.

13. Why is it important to visit a doctor to confirm high/low blood pressure?

It is important to visit a doctor regarding blood pressure for the sake of the precision of the outcome or the result of the readings. Moreover, in a proper medical facility and care of professionals, you will be able to get guidance about how to keep your blood pressure in check if it is not per your ideal blood pressure.

Also, you can get a consultation regarding the changes that you will need to make in your lifestyle to bring your blood pressure back in check.

14. Should you be worried about high blood pressure during pregnancy?

High blood pressure during the latter half of the pregnancy is not that rare of an occurrence. However, it is not something to make light of either. If not treated properly, or significant steps are not taken regarding it, this high blood pressure may pose danger to the health of the parent as well as the baby.

This type of high blood pressure or hypertension is called gestational hypertension, and it is not long-lasting. It goes away after the delivery of the baby.

15. What are some of the symptoms to watch out for in high blood pressure?

The symptoms of high blood pressure are not something that can be ignored readily. These symptoms include severe headache, anxiety attacks, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, blood spots in the eyes, intense fatigue, blurred or distorted vision, and vomiting or nausea. These symptoms are not something to be taken lightly.

High blood pressure is not an incurable problem, but measures are needed to be taken against it in the due time. So, don’t make light of the symptoms and consult a physiotherapist regarding these.

16. What foods should you eat to lower blood pressure?

To lower blood pressure eat a diet that is rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Besides this, it is good to take short meals that are low in curbs. Instead of deep-fried products, it will be good if you were to incline towards a diet that is mainly consisting of vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and other leafy green vegetables.

Consume lots of low-fat poultry and dairy products. These will help enable a healthy diet for you and help you lean towards a healthy lifestyle.

17. What are the best herbs and spices for high blood pressure?

Many known herbs and spices are proven to have a significant effect on high blood pressure. Significantly, basil, parsley, Chinese cat’s claw, celery seeds, Brahmi, thyme, garlic, and ginger are the herbs that are most commonly made use of by people that are suffering from high blood pressure. Along with these, cardamom, cloves, ajwain, green oat, and flaxseeds are the spices that help manage high blood pressure.

References:

1. Borjesson M, Onerup A, Lundqvist S, Dahlof B. Physical activity and exercise lower blood pressure in individuals with hypertension: Narrative review of 27 RCTs. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(6):356-361. doi:10.1136/BJSPORTS-2015-095786
2. High blood pressure (hypertension) – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. Accessed October 10, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373417
3. Lloyd-Jones DM, Allen NB, Anderson CAM, et al. Life’s Essential 8: Updating and Enhancing the American Heart Association’s Construct of Cardiovascular Health: A Presidential Advisory from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2022;146(5):E18-E43. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001078
4. Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019;139(25):E1082-E1143. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000625
5. Brenner J, LeBlang S, Lizotte-Waniewski M, et al. Mindfulness with paced breathing reduces blood pressure. Med Hypotheses. 2020;142. doi:10.1016/J.MEHY.2020.109780
6. Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical practice guidelines. Hypertension. 2018;71(6):E13-E115. doi:10.1161/HYP.0000000000000065
7. Chernova I, Krishnan N. Resistant Hypertension Updated Guidelines. Curr Cardiol Rep. 2019;21(10). doi:10.1007/S11886-019-1209-6
8. Agasthi P, Shipman J, Arsanjani R, et al. Renal Denervation for Resistant Hypertension in the contemporary era: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2019;9(1). doi:10.1038/S41598-019-42695-9
9. Flynn JT, Kaelber DC, Baker-Smith CM, et al. Clinical practice guideline for screening and management of high blood pressure in children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2017;140(3). doi:10.1542/PEDS.2017-1904
10. Muntner P, Shimbo D, Carey RM, et al. Measurement of blood pressure in humans: A scientific statement from the american heart association. Hypertension. 2019;73(5):E35-E66. doi:10.1161/HYP.000000000000008

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109/64 blood pressure – is it good or bad?

Home > Resources > Blood pressure lookup > 109/64

Maintaining a healthy blood pressure throughout your life is one of the most important things you can do for long-term health and longevity. Whether you’re looking up a blood pressure of 109/64 for yourself or a loved one or simply out of your own curiosity, you’re taking the right steps by being informed and empowering yourself or someone else to be their own best advocate.

According to the American Heart Association, a blood pressure reading of 109/64 would be considered
normal. Blood pressure is considered normal when the systolic reading (the top number) is between 90-119 and the diastolic reading (the bottom number) is less than 80.

Okay, now you know how to classify a blood pressure of 109/64, but now what do you do with that information? Read on to learn more or look up another blood pressure reading.

What is a good blood pressure reading?

According to the American Heart Association, a normal blood pressure reading is lower than 120/80. While there is no specific number for low blood pressure, most experts say blood pressure is too low when it causes symptoms or drops suddenly. In general, though, low blood pressure can be considered anything under 90/60.

More information about a blood pressure reading of 109/64

A blood pressure reading of 109/64 is pronounced “109 over 64.” You may also see it written colloquially as 109/64 bp.

In a blood pressure reading of 109/64, 109 is called the systolic number and 64 is called the diastolic number. Systolic refers to the part of the cardiac cycle in which the heart contracts and pumps blood from the chambers into the arteries, and diastolic refers to the part of the cardiac cycle in which the heart relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood. You may also hear the systolic and diastolic numbers referred to as the top number and the bottom number.

Systolic and diastolic readings are measured in mmHg, which is a unit of pressure equal to the pressure that can support a column of mercury 1 millimeter high. Hg is the chemical symbol for mercury. For a blood pressure reading of 109/64, you would pronounce it “109 over 64 millimeters of mercury.”

How do you measure blood pressure?

In a doctor’s office, blood pressure is traditionally taken manually by a doctor or nurse with a sphygmomanometer. A sphygmomanometer is a medical instrument with an inflatable cuff and pressure meter or dial. The sphygmomanometer is placed snugly around the upper arm and is inflated by hand, and the doctor or nurse listens to the brachial artery with a stethoscope as they gradually reduce the pressure of the cuff. When the whooshing sound of blood is first heard through the stethoscope, the doctor or nurse makes note of the reading on the pressure meter. This indicates the systolic blood pressure reading. When the sound disappears, the reading on the pressure meter indicates the diastolic pressure reading.

Blood pressure can also be taken at home using a number of a digital devices. They typically consist of an inflatable cuff and digital display and simply work by placing the cuff around the upper arm and pressing a button, after which the cuff inflatess, deflates, and displays a reading. The most popular blood pressure machines for home use are made by Omron, Beurer, and Paramed, amongst many others.

One thing to keep in mind is that blood pressure can vary by time of day and activity level, so if you’re taking it at home it’s important to check it around the same time each day and rest for a few minutes ahead of time to limit as many variables as possible. It can also be affected by eating.

Blood pressure tends to rise in the hours before waking and then drop in the afternoon and evening before dropping to its lowest point while sleeping, so one popular recommendation is to check it just after waking up and just before bed to identify trends in how it varies from morning until night. Because of this, you might find that if your blood pressure is 109/64 in the morning, it might be lower before bed, and vice versa. Of course, these are just general rules of thumb and may vary by the individual.

Relevant HSA expenses

If you have an HSA as part of your health insurance plan, you’ll be pleased to find that blood pressure monitors, blood pressure cuffs, and wrist blood pressure monitors are all eligible, including smart blood pressure monitors like the offerings from Qardio and Withings.

How the heck do you pronounce sphygmomanometer?

Sphygmomanometer is pronounced sfig-moh-muh-‘nah-mi-ter. Easy!

Explore blood pressure readings similar to 109/64

The following table shows related blood pressure readings because sometimes just one number can make all the difference.

Please note that if a field is blank, it’s not an accident—it simply means a record doesn’t exist for that particular blood pressure. This could be because going forward or backward would create a blood pressure reading that wouldn’t make sense, or because that blood pressure simply doesn’t exist in our records.

Sources

• Understanding blood pressure readings – American Heart Association
• High blood pressure – Mayo Clinic
• Get the most out of home blood pressure monitoring – Mayo Clinic
• Blood pressure – Wikipedia
• How to pronounce sphygmomanometer – Dictionary. com

Disclaimer

The information on this page is intended to be an educational reference and is not to be taken as medical advice. If you think you’re having a hypertensive or hypotensive emergency, or if you’re having any kind of medical emergency, please call 911 immediately.

Is there a headache with low blood pressure?

Does low blood pressure cause headaches?

• Aug 30, 2016

One of the first symptoms of a blood pressure disorder is a headache. It happens both with high and low blood pressure.

With high blood pressure, the pain is throbbing, concentrated in the temples and or the back of the head, accompanied by visual disturbances (“flies” in the eyes) and other unpleasant symptoms.

At low blood pressure, the pain is diffuse, does not pulsate, is accompanied by severe weakness, often yawning, nausea. With arterial hypotension, discomfort and headache appear in the morning during awakening, and by the evening the condition usually improves. Patients find it difficult to lift their heads off the pillow. They have anxiety, palpitations.

However, you cannot rely on your own well-being! You can find out the level of your blood pressure only by measuring it with a special device – a tonometer. If your blood pressure is less than 90/60 mmHg Art., then the pressure is considered reduced. It has been established that young people with low blood pressure are, as a rule, somatically healthy. And only with age, with the development of atherosclerosis in them, various manifestations characteristic of hypotension may occur.

Disorders of the neurohumoral apparatus lead to the development of vascular hypotension. Low blood pressure provokes a factor such as psycho-emotional stress. Headaches are aggravated by running, jumping, sudden movements of the head. The peculiarity of headache in arterial hypotension is that it is rarely intense. Often the pain appears after physical or mental overstrain, after sleep, especially during the day. Most people with a tendency to low blood pressure usually have difficulty adapting to meteorological factors, a tendency to faint, they do not tolerate stuffy rooms, various smells, there is increased fatigue, dizziness occurs when changing body position.

If you have arterial hypotension, you should not try too hard to increase your blood pressure. A sharp increase in blood pressure with the help of drugs is dangerous. However, the patient can do something at home and on his own to alleviate his condition. You can drink a cup of hot sweet coffee, lie down in bed with your head down and your legs up, take a pill of over-the-counter Citramon, as it contains caffeine, which increases blood pressure, and paracetamol, which relieves headaches.

To prevent headaches in case of hypotension, one should fundamentally change one’s lifestyle – normalize work and rest, avoid stress, normalize sleep, and put the nervous system in order. Jogging, morning exercises, daily contrast showers, hardening are useful. The patient needs daily walks in the fresh air for an hour. Herbal remedies that contribute to a “mild” increase in blood pressure also help – preparations of Eleutherococcus, ginseng, tartar, lemongrass. For the treatment of arterial hypotension, a wide arsenal of methods of physiotherapy, balneotherapy, reflexology, etc. is used. Prevention of arterial hypotension is reduced to strengthening the body as a whole and, in particular, its nervous system.

Be sure to explain that arterial hypotension can be both an independent disease and a manifestation of some other disease. To find out the cause of low blood pressure and how to treat it, in all cases, you should contact your local doctor.

N.A. Semashko Design Bureau

Reception Department

Department Head Sokolova G.B.

Who, why and how to measure blood pressure

The level of blood pressure is one of the brightest indicators of the state of health. True, most often the need to monitor blood pressure is remembered in diseases of the cardiovascular system. In fact, everyone should know everything about their pressure, because it changes for various reasons.

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure that blood exerts on the walls of arteries. It is uneven and fluctuates depending on the phase of the heart. In systole, when the heart contracts and throws another portion of blood into the vessels, the pressure increases. And in diastole, when the heart relaxes and fills with blood, the pressure in the arteries decreases. The pressure of the blood on the walls of the arteries in systole is called “upper” or systolic, and in diastole – “lower” or diastolic. It is customary to write the value of blood pressure through a fraction: the first is the top, the second is the bottom.

BP is one of the most important indicators of the cardiovascular system. In most healthy people, it is relatively constant. But under the influence of stress, physical exertion, overwork, the use of a large amount of liquid and under the influence of other factors, its value may change. Usually, such changes are either not too frequent or not too strong, and do not exceed 20 mm during the day. rt. Art. – for systolic, 10 mm. rt. Art. – for diastolic. And, here, a repeated or persistent decrease or increase in pressure that goes beyond the norm can be an alarm signal of the disease and requires immediate medical attention.

WHO blood pressure standards

The “cosmonaut pressure” of 120/80 mm is considered ideal. rt. Art. However, many doctors agree that everyone has their own ideal, and therefore they often ask about the patient’s “working” pressure. Working blood pressure is the usual constant blood pressure interval that provides a person with good health. Since this interval is individual, for someone 115/80 with a working 130/90 may be lower, although it is within the normal range. And, conversely, with a working 110/80, 130/90 can already become elevated. Knowing the working pressure helps the doctor timely identify the pathology, more accurately diagnose and choose the right treatment.

Nevertheless, it is worth remembering that pressure that goes beyond the lower and upper limits of the norm does not work for a healthy person. And normal health in this case is only an additional reason to seek the advice of a specialist.

Who needs to monitor their blood pressure and how?

One of the most common disorders of blood pressure regulation is hypertension. Often behind it lies hypertension, leading to myocardial infarction, stroke and other serious complications. Unfortunately, arterial hypertension is often asymptomatic, so everyone needs to monitor the pressure. People who are prone to its increase, subject to risk factors for the development of hypertension and experiencing its symptoms, should be especially careful and measure blood pressure from time to time. The rest is quite enough annual control during the medical examination. But for those who have a confirmed diagnosis of arterial hypertension, it would be nice to make friends with a tonometer and check the pressure level at least twice a day – in the morning and in the evening.

Mandatory blood pressure measurement if weakness, dizziness, headache, darkening, blurred vision, tinnitus, difficulty breathing, pain or heaviness in the heart or behind the sternum, or other symptoms that usually accompany a rise or fall occur pressure.

It is also worth monitoring blood pressure during exercise, especially when selecting a load.

How to measure blood pressure correctly?

If blood pressure measurement is planned, then an hour before it, you should not drink alcohol, drinks containing caffeine (tea, cola, coffee) and smoke, and five minutes before the measurement, ensure yourself a state of rest.

At the first visit to the doctor, the pressure is measured on both hands in turn. If the results differ by more than 10 mm. rt. Art., then in the subsequent measurement is carried out on the arm with a large value of blood pressure. However, the readings are about the same. The difference between them is more than 10 mm. rt. Art., indicates an increased risk of diseases of the cardiovascular system and death from them, or about an existing pathology.

It is customary to measure blood pressure while sitting or lying down. The hand on which the measurement is taken must be free from clothing and squeezing objects, relaxed and motionless. To avoid unwanted tension, it can be placed on an object that provides a point of support, such as a table or the edge of a bed. It is best to position the limb so that the elbow is at the level of the heart. There should be no arteriovenous fistulas on the arm for dialysis, traces of the incision of the brachial artery, lymphedema.

The cuff is placed on the upper arm 2 cm above the elbow. It is important that it fits tightly around the hand, but does not squeeze it.

Ideally, BP is measured twice, 2 minutes apart. If the result differs by more than 5 mm. rt. Art. – after 2 minutes, a third measurement is taken and the average value is calculated.

The method of pressure measurement depends on the instrument used and is indicated in the instruction manual.

How to choose a pressure measuring device?

A device for measuring pressure is called a tonometer. There are two types of blood pressure monitors – mechanical and electronic (automatic and semi-automatic).

A mechanical tonometer is inexpensive, reliable, long-lasting, guarantees high measurement accuracy, is easy to use, but requires certain skills and is more difficult to use without outside help.

The electronic blood pressure monitor is convenient and simple, you can easily handle it yourself. In addition to devices that measure pressure on the shoulder, there are those that measure it on the wrist. Such a tonometer can be carried with you, which is sometimes important for some hypertensive patients. And devices with a large dial come in handy for the elderly. Many of the electronic blood pressure monitors show the pulse, remember the data of the last measurements and are equipped with some other functions, the quantity and quality of which largely depends on the price of the device. But automatic and semi-automatic devices are more expensive than mechanical ones, less accurate and may last somewhat less. In addition, in some diseases, blood pressure is very difficult to measure with an electronic tonometer, for example, with atrial fibrillation.

When purchasing a tonometer, be sure to pay attention to the presence of instructions in Russian, the passport of the device, the warranty card and the absence of visible defects. And when buying an electronic device – also to the country of origin. Japanese and German appliances are traditionally considered the best.

If the choice fell on a mechanical tonometer, it is worth remembering that a phonendoscope is needed for it. It is often not included.

Blood pressure measuring instruments are best purchased from a pharmacy or specialist shop. If the device is purchased by hand, the accuracy of measurement and its service life cannot be guaranteed.

The average cuff width should be 13-17 cm, for children – a little less, for obese people – a little more.

Before use, the tonometer must be checked and, if necessary, adjusted. It is easier and more correct to do this with the help of a doctor.

How to measure blood pressure with a mechanical tonometer?

Not everyone can measure the pressure on their own with a mechanical tonometer, so the help of another person is desirable.

In addition to the blood pressure monitor, you will need a phonendoscope for the measurement.

Phonendoscope – a device for listening to sounds accompanying the work of internal organs. It consists of a “head” that is applied to the body, tubes that conduct sound, and tips that are inserted into the ears.

Measurement order:

1. A cuff is placed on the upper arm, 2 cm above the elbow.
2. The pulse on the radial artery at the wrist is determined.
3. The cuff is rapidly inflated. After the disappearance of the pulse, the cuff is inflated another 30-40 mm Hg. Art.
4. On the lower edge of the cuff in the elbow, slightly inward from the center of the cubital fossa, the head of the phonendoscope is placed.
5. The air from the cuff is slowly released – at a rate of 2-3 mm Hg. Art. in 1 s. In this case, the scale of the device is constantly under control. The value of the scale at which the first sound appears is considered the value of systolic pressure, and the value at which it disappears is considered the value of diastolic pressure.