Blood pressure is a measurement of the force exerted by blood on the walls of arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. It is recorded as two numbers representing systolic and diastolic pressure, with normal blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg, prehypertension between 120-139/80-89 mmHg, and high blood pressure at 140/90 mmHg or higher. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms but can lead to serious health problems if left uncontrolled, so it is important to monitor blood pressure and make lifestyle changes or use medication if needed to manage pressure.

1. 
Blood pressure is a measurement of the
force applied to the walls of your arteries as
your heart pumps blood through your body.

Blood pressure readings are usually given as
two numbers -- for example, 120 over 80
(written as 120/80 mmHg). One or both of
these numbers can be too high.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007490.htm

2. Blood pressure is the force of your blood
pushing against the walls of your arteries.
 Each time your heart beats, it pumps out
blood into the arteries.
 Your blood pressure is highest when your
heart beats, pumping the blood. This is
called systolic pressure.
 When your heart is at rest, between
beats, your blood pressure falls. This is the
diastolic pressure.


3. Your blood pressure reading uses these two
numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressures.
Usually they are written one above or before
the other. A reading of:
•
•
•
119/79 or lower is normal blood pressure
140/90 or higher is high blood pressure
Between 120 and 139 for the top
number, or between 80 and 89 for the
bottom number is prehypertension
What category describes your blood
pressure? Is it normal or high?

4. High blood pressure usually has no
symptoms, but it can cause serious
problems such as stroke, heart
failure,
heart attack and kidney failure.
You can control high blood pressure through
healthy lifestyle habits and taking medicines, if
needed.
Watch the 2 videos in this section to increase your
understanding of blood pressure.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/highbloodpressure.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/hypertension/htm/_y
es_50_no_0.htm