High Blood Pressure What you can do to Lower yours
What is High Blood Pressure?
What Causes it?
What are the Risks?
How can it be lowered?
Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure put on the walls of the blood vessels by the blood which is pumped around by the heart. It is normally measured via the brachial artery in the upper arm, but can be measured at other points on the body.
Blood pressure values are reported in millimetres of mercury (Hg) given by 2 numbers e.g. 130/90
The first number is Systolic pressure, which is the blood pressure exerted when the heart beats and forces blood around the body.
The second number is Diastolic pressure, which is the pressure exerted when the heart rests between beats.
So a BP of 130/90 (130 over 90) means a systolic pressure of 130mm of mercury and a diastolic pressure of 90 mm of mercury. A Sphygmanometer is normally used which involves a cuff placed snugly around the arm, a measuring unit (a mercury manometer or aneroid gauge), and an inflation bulb for manual instruments. Electronic units inflate themselves and give a digital readout.
What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure or Hypertension is classed as 140-159/90-99 in adults. The ranges are[1]:
Category Systolic mm Hg Diastolic mm Hg
Hypotension (low) < 90 < 60 By:
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