Blood pressure indicates pressure inside your vessels while the heart pumps blood and while it rests. This eMedTV article covers key aspects of blood pressure, like how it is measured, what is considered normal, and what can affect it.
As this eMedTV segment explains, the top and bottom numbers of a blood pressure reading are the systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respectively. This article explains how these numbers are determined, what is normal, and what is high.
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 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.
This eMedTV article describes how ideal blood pressure can vary from person to person based on factors such as family history. Because ideal blood pressure can vary, it's best to take readings over several days to determine what is normal for you.
Blood pressure readings consist of two things -- systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. This eMedTV Web page discusses factors that influence these readings and explains how prehypertension and hypertension are classified.
Two numbers are recorded when measuring blood pressure, one appearing over the other. This eMedTV page provides a step-by-step look at how blood pressure is recorded, including the device used and how systolic and diastolic pressures are read.
There are two types of sphygmomanometers (devices used to measure blood pressure). This portion of the eMedTV archives takes a closer look at how blood pressure is measured, and also explains how these devices work.
