Blood Pressure Terminology

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Understanding the condition

Many people who suffer from elevated high blood pressure are not aware that they have the condition. This is due to the lack of observable symptoms, and the fact that many sufferers appear to be, and generally seem to be in good health, even to the point of declaring that they are ‘feeling great’. However, it is an important condition to understand. This is one of the most frequently ocurring medical conditions, which increases with increasing age, and which also increases the risks of stroke and other heart ailments. In order to understand the condition, it is helpful to understand some of most frequently asked questions about blood pressure:

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the measure of the force which the blood exerts against the walls of the main arteries. As the heart responds to stress and physical activities such as exercising, blood pressure rises and falls.

Methods of measuring blood pressure?

Blood pressure is measured through the use of an instrument called sphygmomanometer. The traditional and familiar instrument used by physicians has, in recent years been supplemented through the ready availability of automatic electronic machines which are available for self testing by individuals. The blood pressure reading is indicated, either mechanically or electronically by giving the systolic and diastolic pressures expressed in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

The measurement is written with the systolic pressure above the diastolic pressure or with the systolic number before the diastolic number, such as 120/80 mm Hg.

What do the terms systolic pressure and diastolic pressure mean ?

The systolic pressure is the force of the blood exerted as the heart muscle contracts while the diastolic pressure is the measure of the force of the blood against the arteries during the relaxation of the ventricles between beats.

What is the normal blood pressure?

The normal blood pressure of a healthy young adult is about 110/75 (below 120 mm Hg systolic and 80 mm Hg diastolic). As one gets older, the normal blood pressure usually increases – a 60-year old usually has a blood pressure of 130/90.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, is known as hypertension. This a condition where the blood pressure measurement is greater than the normal blood pressure even when the individual is resting.

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