What is your blood pressure?

[Morrigan]

And when have you last had it checked?

Blood pressure is important because it gives clues to possible problems with other body organs, systems etc.

Normal b/p is 120/80. The top number expresses the strength of the beats of your heart pumping to your arteries. the lower number is the amount of back pressure in your veins as the blood flows through.

If your b/p is even 140/90, that is a bad thing. Your heart has to work harder than normal to push the blood out, and your veins are exerting pressure on the blood as it travels through, putting a strain on the system.

Any numbers higher than 140/90 require medication to keep the blood pressure in the normal range, and is not something to play with.

170-200's on top is stroke pressure. A bp of 210/130 should cause wide scale panic on the part of your doctor.

Close numbers, like 130/110, or 120/'110, means your have swelling around your heart and soon, your heart will not be able to beat at all, as the pressure it applies, and the pressure back on it are the same. This can also happen when injuries like punctured lungs cause fluid to build up in spaces around the lungs, which put pressure on the heart.

So what is your bp? And when was it last checked?

[tdale]

For me, it was probably at Viking Fest. And, no, I can't remember what it was. But I think DocJamo said I wasn't going to die.

[dukman]

Last time I had it checked, it was 117/80... that was about 3 weeks ago. It used to be much higher. After suffering a back injury, it was constantly was about 155/90 for the months I was seeking treatment. The doctors never seemed alarmed about it. After not seeing a doctor for a while, I started seeing them for a headache, and was shocked when they told me my bp was "high" at 130/83 I thought it was low for me! So, I guess I am at least normal now, in at least one aspect

[Morrigan]

I should caveat that pain causes your bp to be high, and is usually not permanent if it comes with an injury. That maybe why your 150/90 with a back injury wasn't surprising your doctor, Dukman.

[spiffy]

low ! the lowest when I was pregnant, 90/50 midwife was amazed I was able to stand upright.
Normally about 110/60 obviously varys slightly but low blood pressure is normal for me, it does cause it's own problems but as I've had low pressure my whole life I'm used to it.

[doc27]

was checked 4 days ago at 104/62 (normal for me) had i head ache that sent me to the ER and i was at 215/105... yeah i hurt really bad and yes my doctors freaked according to my better half. i can't remember pain that bad and i deal with it on the job all the time. glad i wasn't awake for most of it, the thought i was having a stroke at 26 till the ct scan came back clear. it also depends on hydration and physical activity. just standing up can easily raise your BP 10+ points.

DOC

[Firefighter Dad]

Used to stay right around 140/80

Now it sits around 118/60.

[Jeepwidow]

I have an eye doctor that when you go in, he checks your bp. I never knew that high bp could affect so many parts of our systems....if your blood vessels in your eyes are wider than they should be, this is a sign of high bp. I think that is pretty cool that he checks for everyone!

[Low-key]

Went in for my new-guy physical last March and it was 165/105. All the nurse would say was; "Please sir, don't have a heart-attack!" Well, I found that kinda unnerving and I sought treatment that day. Been taking Cosaar and Hydrochlorothiazide since then and today's annual had 137/88. Better living through chemicals. What I really need to do though, is get off my butt and exercise....

[flyfisher66048]

Mine was 122/88 this week, a little higher than normal for me. I guess more time in gym clothes than docker work clothes would help.