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Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels. It is measured at a person's upper arm though sometimes it can be measured in other places. Blood pressure is explained in terms of the systolic (maximum) pressure over diastolic (minimum) pressure. It is one of the vital signs along with respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature. Normal resting blood pressure in an adult is approximately 120/80 mm Hg. Blood pressure varies depending on situation, activity, and disease states. It is regulated by the nervous and endocrine systems. Blood pressure that is low due to a disease state is called hypotension, and pressure that is consistently high is hypertension or also commonly referred to as High Blood Pressure. Having High Blood Pressure for a long time is a risk factor for many diseases, including kidney failure, heart disease, and stroke.
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