Blood pressure is the pressure inside your blood vessels, both while the heart pumps blood and while it rests. This eMedTV article covers key aspects of blood pressure, like how blood pressure is measured and what's considered normal blood pressure.
This eMedTV article offers an in-depth look at the importance of systolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) represents the amount of pressure blood puts on vessels when the heart is beating.
Diastolic blood pressure, represented by the bottom number in a blood pressure reading, is when your heart is resting. This page of the eMedTV library explains diastolic blood pressure and offers tips for keeping it low.
Blood pressure readings consist of two blood pressure numbers written like a fraction. This page of the eMedTV archives explains what each of these blood pressure numbers mean and what is considered normal.
As this eMedTV page explains, normal blood pressure can range from 90/60 to 120/80. Factors like lifestyle, diet, and family history can impact blood pressure, so several reading should be taken to determine your normal blood pressure.
Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers: the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure. This eMedTV Web page discusses factors that influence blood pressure readings and how prehypertension and hypertension are classified.
This eMedTV page describes the process of taking blood pressure readings, including the devices used. When taking blood pressure readings, it's important to get at least two readings -- taken at least two minutes apart -- and average the results.
There are two types of sphygmomanometers used to measure blood pressure: manometric and digital. This portion of the eMedTV archives describes each sphygmomanometer type in detail and explains how a sphygmomanometer works.
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