Introduction:
BLOOD PRESSURE (BP) is defined as the "pushing force exerted by the blood against the vessel walls". This pressure is highest in the arteries and lowest in the veins. As a result, the blood moves from the arteries through the organs into the veins and back into the heart to begin the cycle over again. The heart acts as a pump to create the high arterial pressures that keep the blood flowing.
Because it is the "driving pressure" that pushes the blood through the organs, the ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE is of utmost importance and is usually the pressure that is measured by physicians. It is critical that this pressure remain relatively stable. If it is chronically too low, insufficient blood will be pushed through organs and the
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The highest pressure in the arteries, produced as a result of ventricular contraction is known as the SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE. The lowest pressure in the arteries, produced as a result of ventricular relaxation is known as the DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE. The difference between the systolic and the diastolic pressure is known as the PULSE PRESSURE. The average effective arterial pressure forcing blood through the organs is known as the MEAN ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE. This is determined by adding one-third of the pulse pressure to the diastolic …show more content…
Your doctor or other qualified health professional should check your blood pressure at least once every two years, or more often as necessary. A single elevated blood pressure reading doesn 't mean you have high blood pressure, but it 's a sign that further observation is required.
How can I tell if I have high blood pressure and what is truly normal?
High blood pressure or hypertension is the most common medical diagnosis in the United States with 35 million office visits occurring each year. Current treatments to control our nation’s elevated blood pressure leave a lot to be desired. Most people still have less than ideal blood pressure in spite of medication use
Blood pressure levels
Systolic:less than 120 mmHg diastolic: less than 80mmHg