Blood pressure

Blood pressure measures the amount of pressure your blood exerts within the arteries. This pressure is necessary for each heartbeat, as it helps to transport blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients throughout.

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A blood pressure reading is given as two measurements: a systolic blood pressure over a diastolic blood pressure. A systolic pressure of less than 120 mmHg and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 mmHg is considered normal. Once you get above these numbers, you start to approach hypertension territory. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious condition that causes blood pressure levels to be above normal.

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We mostly use blood pressure as an indicator of cardiovascular health. This is because hypertension is a serious risk factor for cardiovascular disease. When left untreated, high blood pressure can cause heart attack, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), heart failure, aneurysms, an enlarged heart, peripheral artery disease, and kidney disease.

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Routine collection of blood pressure readings is important, as high blood pressure is asymptomatic. This means that hypertension rarely presents with any symptoms, so it can cause damage without you ever knowing.

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While prolonged high blood pressure is abnormal and serious, your blood pressure can fluctuate depending on several factors. Things like exercising, emotions, age, medications, and body positioning can all affect a blood pressure reading.