Understanding Hypertension
Blood pressure is the amount of force (pressure) that blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels as it passes through them. As blood is pumped from your heart into your blood vessels, enough pressure is created to send it to all other parts of your body.
If your blood pressure is too high, you have what's known as hypertension (also commonly referred to as
high blood pressure).
To determine whether you have hypertension, it's necessary to measure your blood pressure.
This is commonly done by using a device with which you are probably familiar. When taking a
blood pressure reading, your healthcare provider wraps a cuff (usually made of fabric) around your arm and then slightly inflates it. The
blood pressure numbers are measured by a gauge attached to the cuff. Your healthcare provider reads the numbers from the gauge as air is released from the cuff. This device is called a
sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure can also be measured with a special machine.
The two numbers that measure your blood pressure are written like a fraction: one number on top and one on the bottom. For example, what many people consider "normal" blood pressure is written as 120/80. The number on top refers to the systolic pressure. It measures the pressure inside your blood vessels at the moment your heart beats. The number on the bottom represents your diastolic pressure. It measures the pressure in your blood vessels between heartbeats, when your heart is resting.
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