Blood Pressure

What Is a Blood Pressure Chart?

A blood pressure chart is a visual representation of blood pressure values based on measurements taken during a person's medical examination or during an at-home test. Blood pressure is typically measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is represented as systolic pressure over diastolic pressure. 

The systolic pressure is the first value and is the highest level that the patient's blood pressure reaches when the heart beats, forcing blood against the artery walls. Diastolic pressure, the second value,  is the lowest level at which your blood pressure drops as the heart rests between beats. 

A standard blood pressure reading is written as systolic over diastolic, with normal blood pressure for an adult usually around 120/80 mmHg. This average is considerably affected by age and current health status, meaning that healthcare professionals need to consider a wide range of factors when interpreting results, as what is deemed normal for one patient could be detrimental for another. A blood pressure chart will include different categories to help interpret the results, they are as follows:

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• Normal
• Elevated
• Hypertension Stage 1
• Hypertension Stage 2
• Hypertensive Crisis

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These categories help healthcare professionals and individuals understand the blood pressure level and whether it falls within a normal range or requires attention and intervention. Monitoring blood pressure is crucial for assessing cardiovascular health and preventing hypertension-related complications. It's important to note that blood pressure guidelines may vary between institutions, and individuals should consult with their healthcare providers to create personalized advice and ranges based on their specific health conditions and risk factors.

How Does It Work?

Step One: Gather your Resources

Blood pressure charts are a valuable resource and essential to keep on hand. Make sure that you have one when the need arises by either clicking the “Download Template” or “Use Template” button or by searching “ Blood Pressure Chart” on Carepatron’s template library’s search bar on the website or app.

Step Two: Collate Essential Information

Fill out all essential patient information, including any relevant medical history that may impact the parameters. Age and lifestyle factors such as smoking and exercise should be indicated. After conducting the blood pressure test, analyze the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure against the recommended parameters to determine what category the patient falls under and if there is any change or need for intervention.

Step Three: Store the Template Securely

After reviewing the results, you need to secure the blood pressure chart so that access is only granted to relevant parties. As blood pressure is a commonly recorded result, easy access to the blood pressure chart both by medical practitioner and patient is essential.

Ensure this through Carepatrons HIPAA-compliant free patient records software. Here, all relevant medical records can be safely stored and collated for ease and security.

When Would You Use This Chart?

A blood pressure chart is a well-utilized tool used in a variety of healthcare settings by both medical practitioners and patients for various reasons, some of which are outlined below:

Routine Health Checks and Monitoring

Blood pressure charts are a key aspect of regular health checks and can be carried out at home once the patient has been educated on how to take and record their own blood pressure measurements. This is common and encouraged for patients with hypertension or those at risk of developing high blood pressure.

Medical Check-Ups

Medical professionals utilize a blood pressure chart during the routine recording of check-ups to assess the individual's cardiovascular health. This easy tool is a valuable way of finding underlying issues such as hyper or hypotension and leads to further diagnosis should the patient display abnormal results for their appropriate age parameters.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The utilization of blood pressure charts is key in the diagnosis and management of conditions like hypertension. The chart can be used to help determine an appropriate treatment plan, and the measurements can be kept and regularly checked to monitor the intervention's effectiveness.

Preventative Care

Continuous and regular charting of an individual's blood pressure measurements acts as a preventative measure that indicates the need for change before life-threatening conditions such as heart disease or strokes become an issue.

Research

These measurements are well utilized in clinical studies as a means of analyzing and predicting trends in blood pressure levels across different populations. This information is invaluable in the identification of risk factor groups and who should be receiving regular blood pressure tests to decrease the risk of hypertension.

Fitness and Well-Being

A blood pressure chart is often incorporated into well-being and fitness programs to monitor the impact that specific diet and lifestyle changes have on cardiovascular health.

What Do the Results Mean?

Blood pressure ranges vary between institutions yet are commonly divided into five key sections as outlined below:

• Normal range: Blood pressure numbers below 120/80 mm Hg are considered normal. If your results fall within this range, maintain heart-healthy habits, including a balanced diet and regular exercise.

• Elevated: Elevated blood pressure is indicated through measures consistently ranging from 120-129 systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. Without intervention, individuals with elevated blood pressure are at risk of developing hypertension.

• Hypertension Stage 1: Hypertension Stage 1 is characterized by blood pressure consistently ranging from 130 to 139 systolic or 80 to 89 mm Hg diastolic. At this stage, healthcare professionals are likely to recommend lifestyle changes and may consider prescribing blood pressure medication based on your risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

• Hypertension Stage 2: Hypertension Stage 2 occurs when blood pressure consistently reads 140/90 mm Hg or higher. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to prescribe a combination of blood pressure medications and lifestyle changes at this stage.

• Hypertension Crisis: A hypertensive crisis demands immediate medical attention. If blood pressure readings exceed 180/120 mm Hg, wait five minutes, then retest. If the readings remain high, contact your healthcare professional promptly. 

In cases where blood pressure is higher than 180/120 mm Hg and signs of organ damage are present, such as chest pain, back pain, shortness of breath, any numbness or weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking, medical assistance is required immediately.

Research & Evidence

There is incredible value in using a blood pressure chart for all patients as research shows that identifying and applying medical intervention to a lower systolic blood pressure target (less than 120 mm Hg) helped to lower the mortality rate derived from heart attacks and strokes, especially among the older population suffering from high blood pressure (NHLBI, 2018). A similar study conducted in 2017 found that a lower blood pressure target was capable of reducing mild cognitive impairment, a concerning condition that has been linked to dementia (NHLBI, 2019). 

This incredibly easy and accessible test that can be carried out by the patient in their own home has proven itself as a valuable tool for preventive care and monitoring of life-changing cardiovascular events and cognitive decline. The prevalence of high blood pressure is a cause for concern, with 45.5% of U.S adults suffering from hypertension (CDC, 2020). By utilizing blood pressure charts, a large percentage of the population can access preventative care, leading better lives with greater health and medical outcomes. 

The symptoms of high blood pressure typically go unnoticed, further highlighting the importance of blood pressure charts. As stated by Weatherly (2022), symptoms of high blood pressure don’t typically present themselves until measures get abnormally high, and by this stage, organs are already suffering irreversible damage. In the cases of extreme hypertension, some patients have reportedly suffered from headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, dizziness, chest pain, and visual changes (Goodhart, 2016).

References

CDC. (2020, April 23). Products - Data Briefs - Number 364 - April 2020. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db364.htm

Goodhart, A. K. (2016). Hypertension from the patient’s perspective. The British Journal of General Practice, 66(652), 570. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp16X687757

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Blood pressure chart: What your reading means. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/blood-pressure/art-20050982

NHLBI. (2018, July 25). Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) Study | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Nih.gov. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/science/systolic-blood-pressure-intervention-trial-sprint-study

NHLBI. (2019, August 13). Intensive blood pressure control may slow age-related brain damage | NHLBI, NIH. Www.nhlbi.nih.gov. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2019/intensive-blood-pressure-control-may-slow-age-related-brain-damage

Weatherly, B. (2022, October 9). Normal Blood Pressure By Age: What You Need To Know. Forbes Health. https://www.forbes.com/health/healthy-aging/normal-blood-pressure-chart-by-age/#footnote_4