According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, an ideal blood pressure for a healthy adult is 120 mmHg / 16 kPa systolic, and 80 mmHg / 11 kPa diastolic (often this is written as 120/80 in mmHg). Still, a person’s ideal blood pressure may also depend on several factors, such as diet and lifestyle. It is very important to try and aim for ones ideal blood pressure.
In defining blood pressure, it is how much force the blood exerts on the walls of arteries, and this force is measured in mmHg (millimeters of mercury) or kPa (kilopascals).
Blood pressure readings can vary throughout the day which is due to several factors such as tension, exercise, and nicotine use. When comparing ones blood pressure to the “ideal” blood pressure, it is essential to take several readings for a few days.
There are two values that are given when blood pressure is measured. The first is a systolic reading, which is obtained when the heart contracts, and a diastolic reading, obtained when the heart relaxes.
A slight variations in the readings made is still healthy because blood pressure often increases or decreases due to a variety of factors like stress, diet, drugs and illness. It is when the blood pressure is drastically over or under the ideal blood pressure readings that there is a reason to be concerned.
Blood pressure over 130/80 is over the ideal blood pressure and is considered high and such blood pressure in that range is called hypertension. Blood pressure lower than 90/50 is well under the ideal blood pressure and is called hypotension.
If the blood pressure reads 130/80, this is a condition known as prehypertension. 140/90 is a stage 1 hypertension and 160/100 is stage 2 hypertension, which is already a very serious condition which gives a greater risk for heart attack or stroke.
For one who is way beyond or over the ideal blood pressure, lifestyle changes can help maintain an ideal blood pressure. Avoiding smoking, excessive drinking and salt intake along with acquiring a healthy diet and regular exercise all in all helps in achieving an ideal blood pressure.
