WHAT IS NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE?

Abstract

Blood Pressure is a quantity defying clear delineation between normal and raised values. The borderline between normal and abnormal blood pressure is so hazy and imperceptible as to represent a continuuam. Essential hypertension does not differ qualitatively from the normal blood pressure being simply a quantitative extension of the normal. Since in Pakistan, salt intake by habits tradition and culture is excessive, dehydration occasioned by extremely hot climate during summer extending virtually over eight and nine months perpetually activates the (renin-angiotens in-aldosterone system. Besides, psychosocial stresses dictated by rapid urbanisation, geographic mobility, fast changing social values and political consciousness provoke vicious neurogenic influences. It is not, therefore, unexpected that blood pressure levels in Pakistan especially in urban population are on the upper limits of norm al. These so called normal levels are in fact abnormal and inappropriate for the population at large magnifying morbidity and mortality specially from cardiovascular degenerative diseases.