Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure measures the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels.  This can be measured manually or with a blood pressure machine.  In either case, a cuff is fitted around the upper arm and inflated until the artery is completely occluded.  When the blood starts to flow again, it creates a pounding that is known as the systolic pressure, or peak pressure, of the arteries.  The cuff pressure is further released until no sound can be heard and at that point is the diastolic, or lowest, pressure of the arteries. 

The results are given as Systolic/Diastolic, and the standard target is 120 mmHg/80 mmHg.  Anything higher is prehypertensive or hypertensive, and can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure and many other ailments.  Anything less up to a point is a sign of good health.  If it’s too low, it is a condition known as hyportension and can indicate stroke, thrombosis, embolism, hemorrhage, and other hazardous health conditions.