Blood Pressure

photo by ISAF Headquarters Public Affairs Office

Blood pressure is the pressure or tension, that the blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels as it travels around the body. In a healthy person, this pressure is just enough for the blood to reach all the cells of the body, but not so much that it harms the blood vessel walls.

Adult blood pressure is considered normal at 120/80 mm Hg, where the first number is the systolic pressure and the second is the diastolic pressure. Even in healthy people, blood pressure can go up when a person faces a stressful, tragic or exciting event. However in people with hypertension, blood pressure remains abnormally high (a reading of 140/90 mm Hg or greater) and this can severely damage the blood vessels, the heart, and other body organs.

How to regulate low blood pressure

by Mace Moulton Spiegel

The best way to treat hypotension (low blood pressure) is to identify and treat the underlying cause. When blood pressure is low enough to cause symptoms, it may be a sign of a serious condition. Some of the symptoms can be reduced or el... More>

What is blood pressure?

by Y Tian

In the face of our obesity epidemic, the media, scientists, even our next door neighbours are constantly reminding us of the health risks that are related to obesity. Most of us have heard of blood pressure and how it is critical for us to maintain ... More>

Indications you should have your blood pressure checked

by V. Kumar

BLOOD PRESSURE is one of the most important parameters of health that can be easily checked. There are numerous indications for getting it checked. Broadly they can be divided in to four groups.INDICA...More>
2 articles Write Now Write

How to use a blood pressure cuff

by Dr Pandula Siribaddana

What is a blood pressure cuff? This is an instrument used in measuring blood pressure mainly in the peripheral arteries of the arm or in the leg. It is also called the sphygmomanometer and various typ...More>
Write Now Write

Factors that affect blood pressure

by Suzanne Rose

High blood pressure or hypertension can put you at a higher risk of a variety of serious conditions such as strokes and heart disease. It is important to keep this under control, and you can hel...More>
1 articles Write Now Write

Blood pressure problems common in old age

by Chris Westerley

Old people are more prone to be affected by physiological disturbances, which can cause the blood pressure to increase (hypertension) or decrease (hypotension) to abnormal levels. Of the two, hyperten...More>
2 articles Write Now Write

Blood Pressure: Helpful Articles

photo by Andreas D.

Flag Inappropriate Content

Blood Pressure : Quick Facts

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

A typical normal blood pressure is 120/80, or "120 over 80."
The first number represents the pressure when the heart contracts (Systolic).
The second number represents the pressure when the heart relaxes (Diastolic).
Blood pressure greater than 140/90 mm Hg is considered high.
Blood pressure does not stay constant but changes to meet the physical and emotional demands of the body.
Blood pressure is measured with an instrument called sphygmomanometer.