Blood Pressure Flactuations in a Healthy Individual
In the previous segment, we discussed how to measure the power of blood pressure by using blood pressure “numbers.” Examples of a blood pressure measurement is 130/80 (pronounced, “one-thirty over eighty”). The number “130” is called the systolic (pushing or pumping pressure) and the number “80” is the diastolic (relaxing or filling pressure).
We also learned about a third blood preassure measurement number called the pulse (also known as the “heartbeat”). The pulse is measured in beats-per-minute (bpm). One heartbeat represents a pulse or “cycle” (systolic – push – diastolic – relax ). In a healthy individual, there are between 72 to 100 bpm, depending on many factors which we shall discuss in the next section.
These three blood pressure numbers are clearly marked on a Home Blood Pressure Monitor shown here.
In the next section, we shall also discuss how and why blood pressure in a healthy individual changes throughout the course of the day.