What is Blood Pressure? Symptoms of High and Low Blood Pressure

The heart continuously pumps blood to the body through the aorta. During this pumping process, the blood is sent through the vessels under pressure. The pressure that forms on the inner walls of the blood vessels is defined as blood pressure. Blood pressure, which can also be referred to as arterial pressure, is crucial for the adequate supply of blood to tissues and organs, enabling them to carry out vital functions. Each time the heart contracts, it pumps blood into the arteries with a certain pressure, and when the heart muscle relaxes, some pressure remains in the vessels. These two types of pressure are referred to as systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Although blood pressure can vary from person to person, the average range is expected to be 90 to 120 mm Hg for systolic blood pressure and 60 to 80 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. Low blood pressure, known as hypotension, usually does not pose a significant risk and rarely leads to symptomatic problems. However, a sudden drop in blood pressure can cause symptoms such as headaches and fatigue. High blood pressure, known as hypertension, is much more serious than low blood pressure and can lead to severe health problems. Before delving into the types of blood pressure, it is important to understand what blood pressure means.

What is Blood Pressure?

The heart continuously works to send clean blood, which is necessary for the body, to tissues and organs. It also returns deoxygenated blood to the heart to nourish the entire body. This process, which occurs through the circulatory system, is carried out by the continuous contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle. Every time the heart contracts, valves open, and blood is sent into the arteries, which then branch out to all vessels. During this process, pressure builds up in the blood vessels. This pressure is known in medical terms as systolic pressure, or commonly referred to as high blood pressure. When the heart muscle relaxes, the pressure in the vessels decreases. The expanded arteries continue to maintain blood flow by applying pressure to the blood. However, there still remains some pressure in the blood vessels during this time, which is known as diastolic pressure or low blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured with a device called a sphygmomanometer in mm Hg. Since the conditions during measurement can significantly affect blood pressure, it is recommended to measure blood pressure after 5 minutes of rest. Blood pressure may be lower than normal after eating or exercising, while it may be higher than normal after drinking coffee or smoking. Therefore, it is important for a person to refrain from these actions for half an hour before taking a blood pressure measurement.

Types of Blood Pressure

There are two types of blood pressure:

Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure)

Hypotension, or commonly known as low blood pressure, is defined as abnormally low blood pressure. It occurs when systolic pressure is below 90 mm Hg and diastolic pressure is below 60 mm Hg. This condition often does not cause any symptoms and generally does not require treatment. However, a sudden drop in blood pressure can lead to mild or severe symptoms. Hypotension can be caused by factors such as excessive sweating, dehydration, diarrhea, inadequate nutrition, allergic reactions, stress, pregnancy, hormonal imbalances, certain heart diseases, anemia, blood loss, and the use of some medications. Hypotension usually occurs in three different forms:

• Orthostatic Hypotension: This condition, which can be seen in all age groups, mostly affects weak and unhealthy elderly individuals. It occurs when there is a sudden change in body position, such as standing up quickly, and can cause dizziness and blurred vision. This condition typically lasts for a few seconds and may indicate other health problems.
• Neurogenic Hypotension: More commonly seen in children and young adults, this condition occurs when a person stands for a prolonged period. It causes dizziness and fainting.
• Shock-Related Hypotension: This type of hypotension occurs in situations like trauma, burns, poisoning, or sudden blood loss, where the person enters shock. It can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Hypertension, or commonly known as high blood pressure, is defined as having a blood pressure higher than 130/80 mm Hg. This condition, which affects 30% to 45% of the population, must be carefully controlled. There are two types of hypertension: primary and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension, which accounts for about 90% of cases, has no underlying disease causing the increased blood pressure. Secondary hypertension, which accounts for about 10% of cases, is caused by an underlying health problem. Before answering the frequently asked question, "What is good for hypertension?" it is important to first understand the symptoms of hypertension.

Symptoms of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Factors such as a family history of high blood pressure, being over 40 years old, having diabetes, and smoking increase the risk of hypertension. Symptoms of hypertension include headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, fatigue, shortness of breath, blurred vision, frequent urination, nosebleeds, chest pain, or irregular heart rhythms. Hypertension has negative effects on organs such as the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Over time, it can lead to deformities in the arteries. If not controlled, hypertension can cause serious health problems such as brain hemorrhages, heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, arterial blockages in the brain, and blindness.

What is Good for High Blood Pressure?

If a person has high blood pressure, it is essential to see a doctor and receive treatment. Patients who are first diagnosed and start treatment should have their first follow-up checkup within 2 to 4 weeks. During the first checkup, the doctor may adjust the dosage or method of taking the medication. After that, regular checkups should be done every six months. Making lifestyle changes is crucial for managing high blood pressure. Quitting smoking, balancing weight according to body mass index, limiting salt intake to 6 grams per day, and engaging in regular exercise are all extremely important. Potassium obtained from fresh fruits and vegetables is also beneficial for high blood pressure. Additionally, consuming foods like unsalted ayran, pomegranate juice, grapefruit, garlic, thyme, and lemon juice can help regulate blood pressure.

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) Symptoms

Hypotension often does not cause symptoms, but in some cases, it may lead to dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, depression, a drop in body temperature, fainting, and breathing difficulties. If symptoms of low blood pressure occur, it is important to consult a doctor and investigate the underlying causes.

What Helps with Low Blood Pressure?

Low blood pressure can be caused by factors such as folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies due to inadequate nutrition, diabetes, heart diseases, dehydration, internal bleeding, excessive blood loss, and certain medications. Consumption of salty buttermilk, carrot juice, olives, grapes, ginger, basil, and increasing water intake may help with low blood pressure.

Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Around 10% of pregnant women experience high blood pressure. High blood pressure that exists before pregnancy or develops before the fifth month of pregnancy is considered chronic hypertension, while high blood pressure that occurs after the fifth month of pregnancy is known as pregnancy-induced hypertension. Symptoms of pregnancy-induced hypertension include nausea, vomiting, decreased urine output, double vision, rapid weight gain, and liver and kidney function abnormalities, which may lead to pregnancy poisoning (pre-eclampsia). Therefore, it is extremely important to monitor blood pressure throughout pregnancy. In mild cases, rest is recommended for the expectant mother, while more severe cases may require medication.