Defining Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the body's arteries, the major blood vessels. It is a critical measure of how hard the heart is working to pump blood throughout the body and is a key indicator of overall cardiovascular health.
Section 2: Systolic and Diastolic Pressure
Blood pressure is typically recorded as two numbers. The first, or higher, number is the systolic pressure, which measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats and contracts. The second, or lower, number is the diastolic pressure, which measures the pressure in your arteries when the heart rests between beats.
Section 3: A Practical Example
A blood pressure reading is written as the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure, such as 120/80 mmHg. This means a systolic pressure of 120 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and a diastolic pressure of 80 mmHg. This reading is considered to be in the normal range for a healthy adult.
Section 4: Importance in Health
Monitoring blood pressure is vital because consistently high blood pressure (hypertension) can strain the heart and damage blood vessels, leading to serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. Low blood pressure (hypotension) can cause dizziness and fainting.