Blood pressure and its fluctuations

Blood pressure and its fluctuations

Normal blood pressure is between 100-139 and 60-89 mm Hg. The neural centers that control blood pressure in the body, including the sympathetic system, and the parasympathetic system, or the "rest and relaxation" control center, help maintain blood pressure. When sympathetic activity predominates, blood pressure rises, and when the parasympathetic system prevails, blood pressure drops. So you can expect your blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day. Blood pressure is expected to rise and fall during exercise or under high stress; It is normal for blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day and this fluctuation depends on the amount of activity, food consumed and mental state of the person. For example, fear or anxiety can cause blood pressure to rise suddenly because these emotions activate the sympathetic system to prepare the person to flee or fight. But when a person is relaxed, blood pressure may drop, for example during sleep or meditation. But if your blood pressure keeps going up and down, or when you are not active or under stress, your blood pressure still fluctuates a lot, it must be taken into account Because high blood pressure fluctuations can cause serious damage to organs such as the eyes and kidneys and cause a heart attack or stroke. Studies have also shown that high blood pressure can speed up the onset of diabetes complications. It should be noted that high blood pressure in the early morning increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Factors affecting blood pressure fluctuations

1. Different times of the day and blood pressure: Blood pressure usually goes up and down at different times of the day, such as bedtime and walking. Blood pressure usually reaches its lowest point during sleep and rises during the day and drops again in the late afternoon.
2. Air temperature and blood pressure: In cold weather, blood pressure is higher than normal; the result of narrowing of the blood vessels, followed by pumping of blood required by the body with more pressure. And in the heat, blood pressure drops. Climate changes such as humidity or the pressure of the earth's atmosphere also affect blood pressure, especially in people over the age of 65.
3. Stress and blood pressure: Daily stress can affect a person's blood pressure.
4. Activity, exercise and blood pressure: Temporary increase in blood pressure during exercise and physical activity is normal. One way to lower blood pressure is to have an active lifestyle for a long time.
5. Doctor fear syndrome (white coat) and high blood pressure: 20% of people experience stress when they see a doctor, and as a result of this stress, their blood pressure rises.
6. Hidden high blood pressure: There is another group of people who experience normal blood pressure in the doctor's office and when they see a doctor. This is while their blood pressure is really too normal.
7. Cold and blood pressure medications: medications that are routinely used to treat colds and contain anticonvulsants (such as ephedrine, phenylephrine, naphazoline, and ephedrine-like) can cause temporary high blood pressure, which can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure.
8. The effect of bladder fullness on blood pressure: A full or empty bladder affects changes in blood pressure. When the bladder is full, systolic blood pressure is 10 to 15 mm Hg higher than when the bladder is empty.
9. The effect of foods containing tyramine on blood pressure: Tyramine is a substance found naturally in a number of foods. This substance is formed by breaking the protein chain of leftover foods. Usually, the more leftover the protein food, the more tyramine it has. The amount of tyramine in cheese varies depending on the type of process, the type of fermentation, the age, the type of spoilage and even the type of bacterial contamination. Avoiding foods containing tyramine, such as leftover cheese, alcoholic beverages, some processed meats, and foods that cause high blood pressure, is especially important for people who use monoamine oxidase inhibitors to treat their headaches. The effect of tyramine on blood pressure is dangerous for People taking antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Eating foods containing tyramine at the same time as taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors can increase blood pressure.
10. Caffeine and blood pressure: Caffeine can cause a temporary but significant increase in blood pressure in people. This can be due to the blockage of hormones that dilate blood vessels or increase adrenaline levels in the body.
11. Fluctuations in blood pressure during pregnancy: pregnancy changes a person's blood pressure. the secretion of more hormones and increased heart activity are the reasons for these changes in blood pressure in pregnant mothers.

People with blood pressure fluctuations are advised to check their blood pressure regularly at home and try to control their blood pressure by following tips such as quitting smoking, eating fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol consumption, reducing stress, reducing sodium intake, and Caffeine.

To measure your blood pressure at home, pay attention to the following points:

• Empty your bladder before taking your blood pressure. A full bladder can raise blood pressure by up to 15 mm Hg
• Do not talk when you have high blood pressure.
• Sit for five minutes before taking your blood pressure.
• Do not wear tight clothes and do not wear pressure cuffs on your clothes.
• The soles of both feet should be on the ground and do not cross your legs
• Keep your hands level with your heart.
• Each time you see your doctor, show down your blood pressure numbers
• Take your blood pressure at different times of the day
• Use cuffs that close on the arm, wrist cuffs are less accurate.