Blood Pressure Explained

Blood pressure (strictly speaking: vascular pressure) refers to the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, and constitutes one of the principal vital signs. Unlike vascular pressure, arterial pressure is the force at which blood travels through the arteries, arterioles, capillaries and veins in the body and usually decreases as it travels to extremities farther away from the heart.

For years, a non-invasive device called a sphygmomanometer (an instrument that provides measurement readings in accordance with the level of mercury in a column or cylindrical glass tube) has been utilized to calculate the pressure of blood flow as it circulates in the body. Even though mercury is no longer used in most blood pressure monitoring devices, millimeters of mercury, also referred to as mmHg, continues to be the way blood pressure levels are reported. The systolic arterial pressure is defined as the peak pressure in the arteries, which occurs near the beginning of the cardiac cycle; the diastolic arterial pressure is the lowest pressure (at the resting phase of the cardiac cycle). The pulse pressure refers to the difference in maximum and minimum pressure level values, and the total overall pressure during the cardiac cycle is referred to as the mean arterial pressure level.

For a healthy adult in a rested state, normal blood pressure levels are 120 mmHg (16 kPa) for the systolic reading and 80 mmHg (11kPa) for the diastolic pressure. This is normally written as 120/80 mmHg and is spoken as “one hundred twenty over eighty”. Although the 120/80 mmHg is a common benchmark, normal readings vary widely depending on the health and overall fitness of the individual. The measure of your arterial blood pressure can change as often as the heart beats, and your blood pressure may vary at different times of the day. Fluctuations in your arterial blood pressure and are usually not cause for great concern – unless there are particularly large differences. Some common factors that may affect your arterial blood pressure levels are: diet, drugs and alcohol, fitness and even stress.

If your arterial blood pressure is too high, the condition is known as hypertension. On the other hand, if your pressure levels are too low, the condition is known as hypotension. The only basic health test performed more than a blood pressure check is the measuring of the body’s temperature with a thermometer.

Your good health should be your most prized asset and if you have a blood pressure concern, research all the guidance you can find. Don’t be afraid to take professional advice and discuss your blood pressure concerns with your medical practitioner. Consider what you have learned and fine tune your plan of action for maintaining good health and a good blood pressure level.

For the most thorough and up to date information on blood pressure levels, arterial pressure monitoring and other useful information, use reliable specialist sites dealing with blood pressure issues.