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.
If your systolic blood pressure is higher than 140 mmHg, you have high systolic blood pressure. This part of the eMedTV library examines this type of high blood pressure in detail and provides information on how it may be controlled.
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.
As this eMedTV segment explains, an average reading of 120/80 is considered normal blood pressure for an adult, but this can vary for each person. This article talks more about normal blood pressure and blood pressure readings.
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.
This eMedTV page describes the process of taking blood pressure readings, including the devices used. When your blood pressure is being measured, 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 (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.
