Blood Pressure Article
Blood Pressure
In order that the human body can function, the heart delivers blood to all parts of the body, passing through the arteries and other smaller vessels. By definition, blood pressure is the measurement of force exerted on the walls of the arteries during the process of blood-flow. In nature, it is never singularly consistent but always fluctuating, from heartbeat to heartbeat.
When the human body is at rest, the heart beats about 60-70 times on average. Blood pressure is at the lowest when we are at rest or asleep and highest when we wake, depending on how much energy we use during our daily routines. It also varies according to temperature, nutrition, emotional state, drugs or even physical arterial conditions, such as the size and flexibility of the arteries.
The standard measurement for blood pressure is divided into two aspects, the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. As in the course of a heartbeat, the former represents the pressure applied when the heart expands to its maximum; diastolic pressure, however, occurs when the heart is at rest or contracted to its minimum. Blood pressure is measured systolic over diastolic, for instance, 110/70, and the unit used for a blood pressure reading is mmHg. For an average human being, the ideal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, when he is in a still and relaxed position.
There are basically two factors controlling blood pressure, the cardiac output and the peripheral resistance. Cardiac output refers to the amount of blood pumped from the heart, whereas peripheral resistance means the restriction of blood-flow at the arteries. Blood pressure in a human body is much similar to water in a hose. The force of blood-flow will increase when the heart, like a tap, pumps more blood into the arteries, or when the arteries are constricted, like squeezing the hose. When either or both happens, it will cause high blood pressure, or reversely, if the cardiac output is decreased and peripheral resistance is relaxed, low blood pressure will be resulted.
The human brain orchestrates blood-circulation by balancing the activities of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to help the heart adapt effectively to the strains of the human body. The sympathetic nervous system functions to increase the pace of the heartbeats, and control the muscular activities of the arteries, in order to provide the necessary blood-flow for more physically-demanding activities. Conversely, the parasympathetic nervous system will reduce cardiac output and regulate blood-flow when the pressure is too high. Both systems are always on the alert so that one would not run ahead of the other, and when their activities are well-balanced in a human body, the blood pressure will be normal.
Blood pressure is a very important aspect in the functions of the human body, because it is directly indicative of the well-being of the heart. If the heart is not well, many complications can arise in different parts of the body. For those over 35 years of age, it is advised that regular checkups are arranged so that you can be assured that your blood pressure is fine and your heart in tiptop condition.
