86/56 blood pressure – is it good or bad?

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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 86/56 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 86/56 would be considered
hypotension, or low blood pressure. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is defined by a systolic reading (the top number) of less than 90 or a diastolic reading (the bottom number) of less than 60. Low blood pressure generally isn’t considered an issue unless it causes symptoms (such as dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting) or unless it drops suddenly.

Okay, now you know how to classify a blood pressure of 86/56, 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 86/56

A blood pressure reading of 86/56 is pronounced “86 over 56.” You may also see it written colloquially as 86/56 bp.

In a blood pressure reading of 86/56, 86 is called the systolic number and 56 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 86/56, you would pronounce it “86 over 56 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 86/56 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 86/56

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.

Blood Pressure Numbers: When to Get Help

Topic Contents

• Topic Overview
• Related Information
• References
• Credits

Topic Overview

If you check your blood pressure, you may wonder when an abnormal reading means you should call your doctor. This information can help you understand what your blood pressure numbers mean and when you need to call for help.

What do blood pressure numbers mean?

Your blood pressure consists of two numbers: systolic and diastolic. Someone with a systolic pressure of 117 and a diastolic pressure of 78 has a blood pressure of 117/78, or “117 over 78.”

Blood pressure that is too high increases your risk for heart attack and stroke. Your blood pressure should be less than 140/90 (“140 over 90”). If you have diabetes, it should be less than 130/80 (“130 over 80”). If you are 80 years and older, it should be less than 150/90 (“150 over 90”).

In general, the lower your blood pressure, the better. A blood pressure reading of less than 90/60 is normal as long as you feel okay.

What can cause a short-term change in blood pressure?

It’s normal for blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day. Things like exercise, stress, and sleeping can affect your blood pressure. Some medicines can cause a spike in blood pressure, including certain asthma medicines and cold remedies.

A low blood pressure reading can be caused by many things, including some medicines, a severe allergic reaction, or an infection. Another cause is dehydration, which is when your body loses too much fluid.

When should you get help for an abnormal blood pressure reading?

One high or low blood pressure reading by itself may not mean you need to call for help. If you take your blood pressure and it is out of the normal range, wait a few minutes and take it again. If it’s still high or low, use the following guidance.

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You passed out (lost consciousness).

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• Your blood pressure is much higher than normal (such as 180/110 or higher).
• You think high blood pressure is causing symptoms such as:
  • Severe headache.
  • Blurry vision.
  • Shortness of breath. 
  • Chest pain. 
  • Anxiety. 

Call a doctor if:

• Your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher on two or more occasions.
• Your blood pressure is usually normal and well controlled, but it goes above the normal range on more than one occasion.
• Your blood pressure is lower than usual and you are dizzy or light-headed.
• You think you may be having side effects from your blood pressure medicine.

References

Citations

1. Leung AA, et al. (2017). Hypertension Canada’s 2017 guidelines for diagnosis, risk assessment, prevention, and treatment of hypertension in adults. Canadian Journal of Cardiology , 33(5): 557–576. DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2017.03.005. Accessed December 28, 2017.

Other Works Consulted

• Whelton PK, et al. (2017). 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. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, published online November 13, 2017. DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2017.11.006. Accessed November 20, 2017.

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May 17 is World Hypertension Day

World Hypertension Day has been celebrated every year since 2005 at the initiative of the World Hypertension League.

The main purpose of the day is to raise awareness among the general public about one of the most common diseases of the cardiovascular system, to remind them of the need to regularly measure their blood pressure, as well as to follow a proper diet, lead an active lifestyle and give up bad habits.

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood vessels are constantly under high pressure. Vessels carry blood from the heart to all other parts of the body. With each contraction, the heart pumps blood into the vessels. Blood pressure is created by the force of the blood pumped by the heart against the walls of the blood vessels (arteries). The higher the pressure, the harder it is for the heart to pump blood.

Normal blood pressure in adults is defined as a blood pressure of 120 mm Hg (blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury) when the heart contracts (systolic) and a blood pressure of 80 mm Hg when the heart relaxes (diastolic). Blood pressure is considered elevated or high if the systolic blood pressure is equal to or greater than 140 mm Hg and/or the diastolic blood pressure is equal to or greater than 90 mm Hg.

Most people with hypertension show no symptoms, which is why it is called the “silent killer”.

It is estimated that 4 out of 10 adults over 25 have hypertension, and nine out of 10 over 80 will develop hypertension.

The International Society of Hypertension estimates that there will be 1.56 billion people with high blood pressure by 2025.

In Russia, according to epidemiological studies, only among men under the age of 65, the frequency of arterial hypertension (AH) is 49%, and in women – 40%. At the same time, about 42% of men and about 62% of women take drugs to lower blood pressure, so the task of identifying patients with hypertension is one of the most important in the framework of medical examinations and preventive medical examinations of the adult population.

Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to heart attack, enlargement of the heart, and eventually heart failure. Blood vessels can develop dilations (aneurysms) and develop vulnerabilities where the vessels are more likely to clog and rupture. Pressure in the blood vessels can lead to cerebral hemorrhage and stroke. Hypertension can also lead to kidney failure, blindness, and cognitive impairment.

The health consequences of hypertension can be exacerbated by other factors that increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. These factors include tobacco use, unhealthy diets, harmful use of alcohol, physical inactivity and persistent stress, as well as obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes.

All adults should have their blood pressure monitored. In case of high blood pressure, a healthcare professional should be consulted.

For some people, lifestyle changes such as quitting tobacco use, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and avoiding the harmful use of alcohol may be enough to normalize blood pressure. It can also be helped by reducing salt intake. For other people, these changes are not enough, and they need drugs to regulate their blood pressure.

As part of an information campaign and in support of a healthy lifestyle, our colleague, a cardiologist Poprygina Anna Viktorovna gave a lecture “Arterial hypertension in adolescents. Non-pharmacological therapy.”

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Low blood pressure in the elderly (hypotension)

The changes that occur in the body with age affect the functioning of all organs. The most common problem in people over 60 is low blood pressure. In order not to aggravate the health situation, older people need to know their norm and try to maintain it at the proper level.

Norm of pressure in the elderly

Changes that occur in the body with age affect the work of all organs. The most common problem in people over 60 is low blood pressure. In order not to aggravate the health situation, older people need to know their norm and try to maintain it at the proper level.

140/80 is considered normal for a person over the age of 60. The norm of pressure in the elderly may deviate slightly and upwards, for example, by 142/85 or 143/80. At lower rates, you should immediately consult a doctor. In particular, low blood pressure is considered 100/60 in men and 95/65 in women. In some situations, these figures may be even lower, including by 10-20%. Reduced blood pressure can be considered the norm only for older people who lead a sports lifestyle. In all other cases, the indicators clearly indicate the development of hypotension.

Symptoms of low blood pressure

The following signs may indicate the development of an age-related disease in an elderly person:

• headaches;
• frequent fainting;
• general weakness of the body;
• ringing sensation in ears;
• vision problems;
• increased perspiration.

Apathy is often added to the listed symptoms of low blood pressure. A person loses interest in life, his performance is significantly reduced. Signs of low blood pressure can also be indicated by constant malaise with any change in the weather. In such situations, elderly people often complain of feeling chilly limbs and fatigue.

Causes of low blood pressure in the elderly

Hypotension occurs in patients for various reasons. Much in this matter depends on the type of disease. Doctors distinguish between acute and chronic hypotension. In the first case, the causes of low blood pressure are a heart attack or severe circulatory disorders.

In the chronic form of hypotension, the disease can develop due to stress or intense physical exertion. Often the cause of the onset of the disease is the complications that appeared after the illness. Chronic hypotension is considered the most common form of the disease in the elderly. It is accompanied by liver diseases, changes in the size of the thyroid gland and a deterioration in metabolism.

Other common causes of low blood pressure in the elderly include:

• Long-term use of certain medications.
• Compliance with a strict diet.
• Lack of required vitamins in the body.
• Received traumatic shock.
• Poisoning of any severity.

Why low blood pressure is dangerous

The development of hypotension leads to irreversible consequences. The disease adversely affects the work of internal organs and blood vessels, can cause disability and even death. Especially often, low pressure affects the structures of the brain, contributing to impaired blood supply. For this reason, nerve cells experience severe oxygen starvation. As a result, ischemic stroke often occurs in elderly patients.

The risk of high blood pressure increases several times in the presence of heart disease. In such severe situations in patients, the disease is accompanied by arrhythmia and circulatory disorders in the myocardium.

First aid for low blood pressure

Hypotension is an insidious disease that can manifest itself at any time. In this regard, it is important to know about the rules of first aid for low blood pressure. Quick and effective actions performed at home will help improve well-being and normalize the functioning of blood vessels.

For low blood pressure, the following methods are recommended:

• Drink a glass of water or a cup of strong coffee.
• Take a warm shower.
• Perform breathing exercises by sitting on the floor and crossing your legs under you.
• Add something salty to your diet. It is believed that salt quickly improves the functioning of blood vessels.
• Eat some honey sprinkled with cinnamon.

If the above measures do not restore normal pressure, you should immediately seek medical help. Self-treatment at home is not recommended. Only an experienced doctor will be able to diagnose the body of an elderly person and make an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment of low blood pressure

Treatment of hypotension in the elderly in various ways. Depending on the patient’s condition, doctors prescribe effective drugs aimed at increasing pressure. It can be not only medications, but also folk herbs and a number of products that have positive properties for hypotensive patients.

Medications

Antihypertensive agents are often prescribed to treat low blood pressure in people over 60. We are talking about Citramon, Dobutamine, Algon, Regulon and other drugs of similar action. They help to improve the functioning of blood vessels and normalize blood circulation. Before taking the pills, you need to make sure that the person’s blood pressure is really low. This is very important because there are a number of diseases that are similar in symptoms to hypotension. Suitable drugs for low pressure are prescribed to the patient by the attending physician.

In the case of chronic hypotension, the problem needs to be addressed as a whole. The patient, in addition to taking medication, needs to review the daily routine and improve nutrition. It is also recommended to do regular exercises to increase tone. Medicines for hypotension for chronic patients remain the same as with the standard complex of treatment. If necessary, drugs such as Papazol, Cinnarizine and Piracetam can be added by a doctor.

Herbal remedies

For the treatment of hypotension, doctors often prescribe useful herbs and decoctions. Among the most effective herbal remedies, it is worth highlighting:

• Ginseng tincture . The patient consumes 15 drops 3 times a day before meals. The tincture has healing properties, improving tone and dilating blood vessels.
• Beet juice . It is enough to drink half a glass in knocks to improve performance and improve blood circulation.
• Bay leaf . It is placed under the tongue and dissolves in a few minutes. The effect of the use becomes noticeable in the first week.
• Lemongrass tincture . You need to take this remedy 2 times a day, 20 drops before meals. The tincture is useful in that it normalizes the indicators and rids the body of toxins.

When taking herbal remedies, it is important to remember that they may have contraindications. In this regard, you should definitely seek the advice of a medical specialist.

Nutrition for low blood pressure

Elderly people with hypotension need to maintain proper nutrition. The following recommendations can be taken as a basis:

• Eat at least 4 times a day.
• Eat a hearty breakfast of sandwiches, bread and butter, and a cup of strong coffee.
• Add salt to your food in moderation: it will help prevent pressure drop.
• There are predominantly foods enriched with nutrients.
• Drink plenty of fluids – at least 1.5 liters per day.

Foods that increase blood pressure

There is a whole list of foods that older people with hypotension should eat:

• Strong coffee and tea. Helps dilate blood vessels and increase blood pressure.
• Any food containing salt: cucumbers, fish, nuts.
• Cognac and red wine. You can consume up to 50 grams per day to raise the tone.
• Foods containing iron: apples, liver, pomegranate.

Vegetarian patients should include eggs and dairy products in their diet. They will help to fill the lack of meat in the body and, as a result, prevent a decrease in pressure.

Care for the Elderly with Hypotension

The elderly with low blood pressure require special care and attention. Relatives and friends need to provide hourly care for an elderly relative so that he receives all the necessary medicines and eats properly. When pressure rises, it is very important to be able to provide first aid.

Unfortunately, in the rhythm of modern life, not all families have the opportunity to provide proper care for patients with hypotension. In this situation, a nursing home can be a way out. On its territory, an elderly person can always count on the care of medical personnel. Doctors will make sure that the patient receives proper nutrition at low pressure and performs the necessary physical exercises to maintain tone.

How to protect yourself from low blood pressure

To avoid the problems associated with the development of hypotension, following simple rules will help:

• Pay attention to physical activity.
• Avoid stress and anxiety.
• Go for walks often.
• Eat foods that increase blood pressure.
• Treat infections as soon as they appear.
• Have a blood pressure monitor at home to always accurately determine the level of pressure.

In addition, you must give up any bad habits and get enough sleep.