Final answer:
Blood pressure medications are often held if the systolic pressure falls too low to prevent hypotension. Guidelines state normal blood pressure as less than 120/80 mm Hg and hypertension beginning at 130/80 mm Hg or above. Medication effectiveness is often assessed by comparing systolic blood pressure readings before and after treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
When managing blood pressure (BP) with medications, healthcare providers often set parameters for holding the medication based on the patient's systolic and diastolic pressures. Hypotension, or low blood pressure, can occur when BP falls too low, and it might be indicated by a systolic pressure less than the heart rate, although specific parameters vary by individual and medication. On the other hand, hypertension is chronically high blood pressure that needs to be managed to prevent complications such as heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease.
When evaluating the effectiveness of a blood pressure medication, only systolic pressure may be of concern in some studies, and a doctor would commonly look at the BP readings before and after a period on the medication, such as twelve weeks, to measure its effectiveness.