Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers, systolic and diastolic pressures. The systolic pressure is a measurement of how forceful the heart is pumping blood when it contracts in the pumping stage. It is the vascular pressure created during the contraction of the left ventricle. If this reading is too high, then the heart is working too hard. The diastolic pressure is the measurement of the force existing within the relaxed arteries between heartbeats. If this number is high it could be indicative of clogged or constricted blood vessels.
Digital blood pressure monitors are available at many department and drug stores and provide an easy method of taking a reading. When a reading is taken in the doctor's office, he first wraps the cuff around your arm and pumps it up with air effectively cutting off the circulation to the lower arm. As he pumps air into the cuff, a mercury pressure gauge provides an increasing reading of the pressure within the cuff. Listening through a stethoscope, he begins to slowly let the air out and the gauge begins to fall. At the moment he hears the pulse start back up, he records the level on the gauge. This is the systolic pressure. He continues to release air from the cuff. When he can no longer hear your pulse, he records that reading from the gauge. That is your diastolic pressure. A reading of 120/80 or lower is considered good. A reading of 140/90 or above is considered high blood pressure.
It is important to see a doctor to determine if medication is required if high blood pressure is indicated. Exercising with high blood pressure and without medication could cause serious consequences. Exercise raises the heart rate and associated cardiovascular pressures, which can push a borderline reading to excessive levels. Certain foods can elevate blood pressure by constricting blood vessels or increasing heart rate.
The Valsalva Maneuver or holding the breath while performing an exercise can increase blood pressure to extremely high and dangerous levels. Blood pressures of nearly 400/350 have been recorded during such actions. Existing aneurysms can burst, blood vessels in the eye can rupture and even retinas can tear (Valsalva Retinopathy). This is a common and dangerous practice. It is also the job of the trainer or spotter to recognize when the breath is being held and bring it to the exerciser's attention immediately