- Blood Pressure (Hypotension and Hypertension)
- What is a blood pressure reading and what do the two numbers mean?
- What exactly happens when my doctor or nurse takes my blood pressure?
- How is blood pressure produced?
- How does my body keep to a normal and healthy blood pressure?
- What does it mean if I have low blood pressure (hypotension)?
- What does it mean if I have high blood pressure (hypertension)?
What is blood pressure?
Most of us have been to a doctor or nurse and had them wrap that thick band around the top part of our arm, it pumps up with air and then deflates, allowing the medical professional to get our blood pressure reading, but what exactly does this mean and how is it measured?
When it comes to blood pressure it helps to understand what the terms used in its measurement refer to. Basically, blood pressure measures the force with which your blood pushes against the arterial walls. To best illustrate this, imagine water passing through a pipe, blood has a similar movement through the arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood to the arteries, and let’s not forget, the average person’s heart beats 60 to 70 times per minute at rest.
The sections in the navigation menu above discuss everything you need to know about your blood pressure, what it means for you as well as your health and lifestyle, possible precautions, treatments and more.
However, please keep in mind that this is merely a guideline and not intended as a diagnosis or treatment for any associated condition. Please consult with your healthcare professional for that.
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