anyone know what those numbers mean in blood pressure readings?

[dramaqueen72]

'cause i dont. i have 'really quite low' blood pressure according to midwives.
They also said today 'oo, that top numbers low you know' which is great- as have no idea what the top number measures/means and surely commenting on it is pointless as i cant 'fix' it anyhow? and would this be why I'm so pathetically faint and dizzy?

[noddyholder]

what are the figures?

[dramaqueen72]

um, dont have notes with me but its usually 104/68 (i think, from memory) or there abouts........

[NotQuiteCockney]

It would explain you being faint and dizzy. I don't know what counts as high/low, but I do know what the numbers mean.

The high number is how much pressure they have to use to stop any blood going through. The low number is how much pressure they have to use to stop blood going through at the lowest-pressure part of your heartbeat.

[nailpolish]

DQ, your bp measures the pressure required to push the blood through your vessels, the top no is the systolic pressure, the bottom the diastolic.

when they take your bp they tighten the cuff, stopping the flow of blood to your arm, then as the cuff is released, it measures the pressure in the vessels that it is taking to push the blood through

a normal bp is 120/80, but in pg it is common for it to be low, usually because your vessels are wider and slacker, therefore requiring lower pressure to push the blood through

lower pressure is better than high pressure in pg, high can be dangerous, as in pre eclampsia

although saying that, low can make you feel dizzy etc, so no rushing about!

[dramaqueen72]

thanks NQC, sure if I keep reading that it will begin to mean something to me......
so can i 'fix' it?

[nailpolish]

theres not much you can do for low bp unfortunately, just dont get dehydrated, drink plenty water, and do things slowly or you will pass out

[lilaclotus]

blood pressure association explains it quite well

[hellomama]

dramaqueen, that is a very healthy blood pressure and you shouldn't have any need to worry. Basically the numbers show the pressure of the heart when the blood goes in and when it goes out. Probably the most important number is the bottom number, which ideally shouldn't be over 90. Obviously your heart does work much harder when you are pregnant because it is supplying you and your baby.

It is common to feel feint and light headed when pregnant, especially if you are sitting down / lying, then standing suddenly because it takes that much more work for your heart to pump the blood up into your brain. You can help this by standing up slowly (as if you can do anything else when pregnant eh? ), getting out of bed slowly and carefully etc.

Blood pressure can also be low if you are dehydrated. So especially in this hot weather make sure you drink lots and lots of water!

[NotQuiteCockney]

Make sure to eat regularly and drink lots of fluid. I was pregnant in the heat last year, and went green and dizzy a few times, when I forgot to eat and drink a lot.

[dramaqueen72]

gosh you ladies are clever...feel v blonde right now.
Does my tiny heart murmur have anything to do with me having low blood pressure?

you're not kidding about me nearly passing out ALOT.....have been working really hard on my iron levels as though it must be that....and it wasnt!
am going to drink more water see if it helps. thankyou

[oooggs]

I had very low blood pressure during pregnancy and couldn't go anywhere on my own. Have passed out at work, in Next and Sainsburys. Constantly felt dizzy and also had morning sickness right up until he was born. I found eating little and often helped a bit and staying cool.

Hope you feel better soon.