Introduction
The blood pressure is always given with two blood pressure values. The first blood pressure value is the highest pressure in the system and is called the systolic value. This blood pressure value comes about at the moment the blood is ejected from the heart.
The second blood pressure value is the diastolic value and represents the continuous pressure in the vascular system during the filling phase of the heart. Under normal conditions and without taking individual deviations into account, the blood pressure should ideally be 120/80 mmHg. At rest, the systolic blood pressure should be between 100-130 mmHg, the diastolic value between 60-85 mmHg. Both blood pressure values rise when moving or under stress, but the systolic value rises significantly more than the diastolic value.
Classification according to WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set various limits to classify high blood pressure. However, there are also differences, so that high blood pressure (hypertension) is classified into different degrees of severity. – A normal blood pressure are values of <130/<90 mmHg.
- Highly normal would be values of 130-139/85-89 mmHg. – Any blood pressure value beyond this is called hypertension, has negative effects on the cardiovascular system and life expectancy and must be treated. – Grade 1 hypertension is defined as blood pressure values between 140-159/90-99 mmHg.
- Hypertension grade 2 is values between 160-179/100-109 mmHg. – The most severe degree of hypertension, degree 3, are values >=180/>= 110 mmHg. All these blood pressure values are valid at rest and for an adult.
The classification of blood pressure normal values in children is very controversial. Although attempts have been made to make a similar classification as for adults, it would mean that about 30% of children worldwide would require treatment for hypertension. Since this would be ethically unacceptable and the values in children can vary greatly, such a classification has been abandoned.
The German Hypertension League has set limit values for children over 12 years of age. The limit for high pressure for 12-year-olds is 125/80 mmHg, for 16-year-olds 135/85 mmHg and for 18-year-olds 140/90 mmHg. These blood pressure values are above the recommended limits of American doctors, who have set a limit of 120/78 mmHg for 16-year-olds and 120/80 mmHg for 18-year-olds.
Normal values
The normal blood pressure values for a healthy adult at rest are <120 mmHg systolic and <80 mmHg diastolic. The values are based on the age and body weight of the person. The blood pressure is subject to natural fluctuations: During excitement, effort, stress or sport, blood pressure rises.
Caffeinated drinks such as coffee and cola, as well as table salt, also increase the blood pressure value. In the case of fluid loss (desiccation), relaxation and sleep, blood pressure drops. Fluctuations in blood pressure are basically normal, but can cause symptoms if they are very pronounced.
Some patients report dizzy spells, headaches or palpitations. In order to represent the course of the blood pressure values, one should always measure and record the blood pressure at the same time, e.g. 3 times a day. You should also make sure that you create the same situation.
This includes being physically and mentally relaxed beforehand, for example sitting relaxed for 15 minutes and then measuring the blood pressure. No clothes should cover the arm and it should not be rolled up. Ideally, you should regularly compare the blood pressure of your left and right arm.
You should also not take any coffee or other blood pressure increasing substances beforehand. If the blood pressure is elevated at the doctor’s office but is always measured normally at home, this may be related to the excitement at the doctor’s office. This so-called “smock syndrome” is a common occurrence and can be detected by self-measurements at home.
A long-term measurement of blood pressure is also possible in order to write down the exact course of the day. Children have a lower blood pressure than adults. The German Hypertension League specifies the following as upper limits for children: 12-year-olds 125/80 mmHg, 8-year-olds 115/80 mmHg and 4-year-olds 110/70 mmHg.
If these values are reached and repeatedly confirmed by measurements, this is called incipient hypertension. These values should definitely be measured by a doctor, as children require a special blood pressure cuff. If you measure your child’s blood pressure at home with your blood pressure cuff, the values are distorted.
It is important that the width of the cuff covers 2/3 of the upper arm. The limit values should be compared with the body weight, as this is more meaningful than age alone. Today, more and more children with high blood pressure are being observed, which is related to the increasing prevalence of overweight in children and young people.
However, the significance of the values remains controversial. In an international comparison, different limit values are given. According to the American limit values, many more children in Germany would already have high blood pressure in need of treatment.
