Blood Pressure video

Know Your Numbers Week

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure measures the force behind which your heart pumps blood through the arteries around your body.

Definition

Systolic blood pressure, the first number, measures the force your heart exerts on the walls of your arteries each time it beats.

What is blood pressure measured in?

120/80 mm Hg

Diastolic blood pressure, the second number, measures the force your heart exerts on the walls of your arteries in between beats.

What is blood pressure measured in?

120/80 mm Hg

100/70 mm Hg

Also known as "Hypertension", high blood pressure can increase your risk of causing damage within the body and developing other, serious health conditions.

High blood pressure

More than 120/80 mm Hg

An ideal blood pressure range would be somewhere in between 90/60 mm Hg and 120/80 mm Hg.

Normal blood pressure

Also known as "Hypotension", low blood pressure can sometimes cause dizziness or fainting. However, some people with low blood pressure may not experience symptoms at all.

Low blood pressure

Less than 90/60 mm Hg

Why does blood pressure matter?

High blood pressure puts extra strain on your arteries and heart. Over time, this strain can cause the arteries to become thicker and less flexible, or to become weaker.

Why does blood pressure matter?

Thicker arteries become more narrow, restricting blood flow, whilst weakened arteries may cause blood to burst through. Both these scenarios can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Regular exercise, eating healthily, quitting smoking, cutting back on caffeine, limiting your alcohol intake and reducing stress levels can all help lower your blood pressure.

How can you lower your blood pressure?

For more information on High Blood Pressure, click to visit our High Blood Pressure condition page

More information

Thanks for watching!

check us out on social!