Evaluating your likely current (and near future) state of health means taking into account the risk factors — such as systolic blood pressure — that affect you. Our medical diagnosis tool, The Analyst™, identifies major risk factors by asking the right questions.
Blood Pressure. What is your usual blood pressure without medication? [Top number, systolic]
Possible responses:
→ Don't know→ Under 110 (low) → 110 to 129 (normal) → 130 to 150 (elevated) → Over 150 (very elevated) |
Blood contains roughly 50% water, and less water in the body will lead to less water in the blood and therefore decreased blood volume. The brain senses this and signals the pituitary gland to secrete vasopressin, which causes blood vessels to narrow. This narrowing will directly increase blood pressure. Blood also becomes thicker when its water content is reduced. The heart must push harder to pump this thickened blood around the body, increasing the pressure inside blood vessels.
Blood pressure that is consistently at or above 140⁄90 is a sign of Type 2 Diabetes.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) also suggests the following possibilities:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is usually a hereditary disorder, although incidence of this form of cardiomyopathy may also be higher in people with hypertension. [Hypertension 1994;24(5): pp.585-90]
High blood pressure can affect the vessels in the eyes; some blood vessels can narrow and thicken / harden (arteriosclerosis). There will be flame-shaped hemorrhages and macular swelling (edema). This edema may cause distorted or decreased vision and is a condition known as hypertensive retinopathy.
Hypertension is a risk factor for reduced circulation in the brain, sometimes called ischemic vascular dementia (IVD).
High blood pressure is the main risk factor for having a stroke and those with hypertension are 8 times more likely to suffer from stroke than those with normal blood pressure. Long-term high blood pressure narrows and weakens blood vessels, including those in the brain, making it easier for them to rupture or become blocked.
Gout is strongly associated with obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes.
High blood pressure commonly results from kidney problems, and often damages the small blood vessels in the kidneys. When this happens, the blood vessels cannot filter toxins from the blood as easily.
Extremely low blood pressure is a sign of possible magnesium overload.
Because the kidneys are involved in blood pressure regulation, abnormally low or abnormally high blood pressure may develop from nephrotic syndrome.