Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure is the pressure of the blood against the artery walls. We measure blood pressure using a Sphygmomanometer (try saying that after a drink). A blood pressure reading delivers two numbers, known as the Systolic and Diastolic readings.

Systolic is the blood pressure as the heart beats- this is higher as the blood is forced through the arteries at a high speed, in order to push it to the extremities.

Diastolic is the pressure of the blood between beats, as the heart rests. This is also known as the constant internal pressure.

A perfect blood pressure reading is 120/80.