GMDH - Issue 3, Blood Pressure

Good Morning Dr. Hollander!

I have these numbers but I don't remember the names of the numbers, like one is usually 120-140, and the other I think is like, 40-80 or something like that. I was asking my dad what they meant since the first one usually varied a lot for me, (there's this machine at Publix I get it checked at, I know its some stupid free thing, but it's all I got to go on) but the 2nd one is more consistent. Plus I wanted to ask you why they changed sporadically. But if you can't answer that unless I tell you the EXACT name of the numbers, I understand. I'd use Google, but even if I saw it, I wouldn't know.

Blood pressure refers to how hard the heart has to pump to deliver nutrients (oxygen and glucose) to every cell in the body. The first number in your blood pressure is the Systolic pressure, or the pressure produced during heart contraction. The second number is the Diastolic pressure or the pressure during heart relaxation. The numbers can vary based on the individual and also by the demands placed on the body.

The typical 120/80 figure is based on the average young adult male. Since averages don't fit everyone, it's not uncommon to have a different figure than this, higher or lower, and still be completely normal.

During any physical activity the heart is required to work harder to perfuse the same amount of tissue. If you were active before you took your BP, it's likely that you would have a higher systolic number.

Whats important to keep in mind here is that generally your body knows what your blood pressure needs to be to get oxygen and nutrients to all of your cells. Artificially lowering your blood pressure with medication will necessarily deprive tissues of their nutrients and produce side effects like tiredness and depression. The best thing you can do for your blood pressure is to place yourself in a healthy environment which your body can reflect with a "low" blood pressure.

Hope that helps, -Darren, DC