High blood pressure often causes no symptoms, or immediate problems.
More about the diagnosis of high blood pressure Symptoms of high blood pressure Therefore, if your GP says that your blood pressure is '120 over 80', or 120/80mmHg, they mean that you have a systolic pressure of 120mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 80mmHg. The figures are usually represented with the systolic pressure first, followed by the diastolic pressure. Diastolic pressure - the measure of blood pressure when your heart is resting in between beats.īoth the systolic and diastolic pressures are measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).Systolic pressure - the measure of blood pressure exerted when your heart beats and forces blood around your body.Two measurements are used to measure blood pressure: It is measured in millimetres of mercury, or mmHg.Ī more detailed explanation is provided below.
How is blood pressure measured?īlood pressure is defined as the amount of pressure that is exerted on the artery walls as blood moves through them. Once the blood is fully oxygenated, the heart pumps the oxygen-rich blood around the body so that the oxygen can be used by the body’s muscles and cells, through the arterial 'pipeline' (arteries). The heart is a muscle that is designed to constantly pump blood around the body. It pumps blood that is low in oxygen towards the lungs, through the venous 'pipeline' (veins), where it receives a fresh supply of oxygen. However, most doctors agree that the ideal blood pressure for a physically healthy person is around 120/80mmHg.Ī normal blood pressure reading is classed as less than 130/80mmHg. The line between normal and raised blood pressure is not fixed and depends on your individual circumstances. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is usually defined as having a sustained blood pressure of 140/90mmHg or above.
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