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ABOUT “BLOOD PRESSURE”
What is blood pressure?
The heart is a pump that circulates blood throughout your body. Blood is pumped
from the heart at a constant pressure into arteries. This pressure is called the
arterial blood pressure and represents, in general terms, your blood pressure. Blood
pressure is indicated by several kinds of pressures, including the systolic pressure
that occurs when the heart pumps blood, and the diastolic pressure that occurs
when blood returns to the heart.
(Systolic)
(Diastolic)
Artery Artery
Left atrium
Left
ventricle
Left atrium
Left
ventricle
Dilation
The artery wall expands.
Contraction
Normal state is restored
to the artery wall.
Your blood pressure changes all the time.
Your blood pressure differs according to your age, gender and a range of other
factors. It is likely to be affected by your biorhythm during the day and by your
posture, physical activities, mental activities, level of stress and even by the air
temperature. The blood pressure of a healthy person generally varies within a day.
Blood pressure value (mmHg)
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
Time of day
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Systolic blood
pressure
Diastolic blood
pressure
Sleeping
(Blood pressure values measured at fi ve-minute intervals through the day)
● Bevan AT, Honour AJ, Stott FH. Clin Sci 1969;36:329–44.
[Example of blood pressure variations within a day]
Q Why is the blood pressure measured at home different from that measured by the
physician or at a hospital?
A Your blood pressure may vary due to exercise, the ambient temperature or your
mental state. When you have a physician or nurse measure your blood pressure, the
pressure value is likely to be 10 to 20 mmHg higher than usual due to anxiety and/
or stress. Knowing what affects your blood pressure helps you to better monitor your
health.
Q Why does the blood pressure obtained vary with measurement?
A Our blood pressure is adjusted by automatic nerve function. Blood pressure differs
with every heart beat. We are likely to think that our blood pressure is constant, but
it varies if you take measurements in repetition. Blood pressure is susceptible to the
time of day, such as morning and afternoon, season and atmospheric temperature.
In addition, blood pressure is easily affected by mental stress or emotional ups and
downs. It tends to increase when you feel tension or decrease when you are relaxed.
Q What is the benefi t of measuring my blood pressure at home?
A Blood pressure measurements taken at home give reliable data as they can be
taken when you are in a stable and relaxed condition. Physicians place considerable
importance on blood pressure measurements taken at home. You should measure
your blood pressure at the same time each day and record the variations in your blood
pressure.
Always consult your physician for an interpretation of your blood pressure
readings and to determine the proper treatment.
BLOOD PRESSURE Q&A