Understanding Blood Pressure Readings: What the Numbers Mean and Why Monitoring Matters

Blood pressure refers to the pressure within the blood vessels as the blood rushes through them. Blood pressure could be an important indicator of heart function and may have various risk factors.

Types of blood pressure

Systolic blood pressure - Pressure within the blood vessels when the heart contracts. Normal value: 120 mmHg (110 - 140 mmHg)

Diastolic blood pressure - Pressure within the blood vessels when the heart relaxes. Normal value: 80 mmHg (60 - 80 mmHg)

Denoted usually as 120/80 mmHg

Variations

• Age: Increases with age

• Sex: In females, till menopause is 5 mmHg less than in males

• Body built: More in obese individuals

• Diurnal variations: Pressure is slightly lower in the morning

• After meals: Increases for a few hours after meals

• During sleep: Reduces by up to 15 - 20 mmHg during deep sleep. Increases slightly when associated with dreams

• Emotional conditions: Increases during excitement or anxiety due to adrenaline

• After exercise: Increases based on intensity

Blood pressure categories (According to Heart Research Institute)

According to general values

• High BP is called hypertension

• Low BP is called hypotension

According to age group

According to gender

Why blood pressure monitoring is required?

1. It is a silent killer

High blood pressure has no symptoms and cannot be identified clinically. Regular monitoring is required to detect changes in pressure variation. Undetected high BP could become life-threatening and requires early monitoring and management.

2. Leads to damage of organs

Uncontrolled blood pressure can damage vital organs over time, including:

• The heart (heart attack, heart failure)

• The brain (stroke, cognitive decline)

• The kidneys (chronic kidney disease)

• The eyes (retinopathy, vision loss)

3. It helps to determine treatment plan

Blood pressure readings help healthcare providers determine whether lifestyle changes, medications, or adjustments in therapy are needed. For patients already on treatment, monitoring confirms whether interventions are effective.

4. It Identifies Blood Pressure Patterns

Some individuals have:

• White-coat hypertension: Elevated readings only in hospitals while seeing people wearing white coats

• Masked hypertension: Normal readings in clinics and hospitals but high readings at home

5. It Supports Long-Term Health Management

For people with diabetes, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, or during pregnancy, blood pressure monitoring is a critical part of ongoing care and risk reduction.

How Often Should Blood Pressure Be Checked?

• Healthy adults: At least once every 1–2 years

• People with elevated readings or risk factors: As advised by a healthcare provider

• Individuals with hypertension: Regular home monitoring, often daily or several times per week