Blood pressure

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels. It is mostly created by the heart pumping blood through the body. We usually talk about blood pressure in a place called the brachial artery, where doctors often measure it.

How Do We Measure Blood Pressure?

When doctors check blood pressure, they look at two numbers: systolic and diastolic. The systolic number is the highest pressure when the heart beats, and the diastolic number is the lowest pressure when the heart rests between beats. These numbers are measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

For example, a normal blood pressure for an adult might be 120/80 mmHg. This means the systolic pressure is 120 and the diastolic pressure is 80.

Why Is Blood Pressure Important?

Blood pressure is one of the vital signs that healthcare workers check to see how healthy someone is. Other signs include heart rate, oxygen levels, and body temperature. Keeping blood pressure at a healthy level helps the heart and can prevent problems later in life.

Fun Facts About Blood Pressure

• Blood pressure changes during the day, usually being highest in the morning and evening, and lowest at night.
• As people get older, their blood pressure often goes up, especially the systolic pressure.
• Special machines can now measure blood pressure automatically, making it easier to check at home.

Blood pressure helps keep blood moving through our bodies, and it’s important to keep it at a healthy level!