Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps. It’s measured using two numbers:
- Systolic pressure is the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. It’s represented by the top number in a blood pressure reading.
- Diastolic pressure is the pressure in your arteries when your heart is resting between beats. It’s represented by the bottom number in a blood pressure reading.
Blood pressure is typically measured using a cuff and monitor, either manually with a stethoscope or digitally with an automatic monitor.
Healthy blood pressure is critical because both high and low readings can lead to serious complications, including heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and fainting episodes. High blood pressure (hypertension) can also damage your arteries over time, making it harder for your heart to work efficiently.
