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What is Blood Pressure?

[Wikipedia] Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure (force per unit area) exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, and constitutes one of the principal vital signs. The pressure of the circulating blood decreases as it moves away from the heart through arteries and capillaries, and toward the heart through veins. When unqualified, the term blood pressure usually refers to brachial arterial pressure: that is, in the major blood vessel of the upper left or right arm that takes blood away from the heart.

BP classifications

Systolic blood pressure (SBP) is the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart contracts; and Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart relaxes Your blood pressure (BP) is represented by these two numbers (SBP/DBP) e.g. 120.80 mmHg

The BPro Way of Blood Pressure Monitoring

Do you know ... 1. A single clinic BP (blood pressure) is unable to determine whether you have high blood pressure or your blood pressure is in the normal range. 2. Everyone should have their blood pressure taken when sleeping because blood pressure is supposed to dip during that period. 3. You should measure your blood pressure annually or whenever necessary. 4. ABPM (Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring) has high potential to prevent misdiagnosis of hypertension. 5. There are 9 main blood pressure patterns identified, treatment of which should be individualized and managed accordingly. Each pattern carries different risks of heart attack or stroke. 6. You should be taking your blood pressure when you are least aware of it.

What is Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)
ABMP refers to monitoring your blood pressure over a period of 24-hours as you go about your normal daily activities. Your BP fluctuations over this period forms the ABPM pattern. This allows your doctor to decide if the pattern is normal or if you need to be treated. 

To date, 9 main BP patterns have been identified. Every pattern carries different risks of heart attack or stoke. With the knowledge of your pattern, effective treatment can be targeted to achieve normal pattern, thus reducing the risk.

	Your blood pressure fluctuates over 24 hours within an optimum range (green band) as shown in the diagram, forming a unique blood pressure pattern . Generally blood pressure is at its lowest when you sleep but rises when you get up. It is also elevated when you are excited, nervous, or active. Still, for most of your waking hours, your blood pressure stays pretty much the same when you are sitting or standing still. That level should be lower than 120/80. When the level stays high, 140/90 or higher, you have high blood pressure. With high blood pressure, the heart works harder, your arteries take a beating, and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are greater.
	For this BP pattern, the BP reading is high only at the doctor's clinic but is otherwise normal 20 - 25% of all hypertensive patients have this pattern
	BP is normal during the day, but is high at night when the person sleeps - increased the risks of stroke or heart attack - identified only with an ABPM session

To read more on BPro Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring, register with us to get a free report on 'Measurement of Ambulatory Central Aortic Pressure in Clinical Trials using the BPro Device' by Bryan Williams, MD FRCP FAHA, Professor of Medicine

Visit your nearest BPro Centre in Singapore for your next annual health screening. Ask your doctor for an ABPM session if you have: - a family history of hypertension - hypertension during pregnancy - suspected White Coat Hypertension - resistant hypertension despite medication - episodes of high BP while on medication - episodes of low BP while on medication If you need any assistance, you may also write to us

Preventive is always better than cure, read our health tips to maintain a 'keep-fit' lifestyle!

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