What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries (measured in mmHg).
Blood pressure is partially dependent on the following factors:
- the strength of your heartbeat
- the blood quantity
- the diameter of your vessels
- the elasticity of your vessels
Systolic and diastolic values are distinguished
- The higher “systolic” value indicates what pressure is present in
the cardiovascular system when the heart muscle contracts and forces
the blood into the body with all its strength.
- The lower “diastolic” value indicates the pressure at the moment the heart relaxes.
The optimal measurement for adults at rest is a value of 120 over 80 mmHg.
- from 140 over 90 mmHg are referred to as minor hypertension
- from 160 over 95 mmHg are referred to as major hypertension (high blood pressure).