7
About Blood Pressure
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted on the artery tube
while blood flows through the arteries. The pressure
measured when the heart contracts and sends blood out
of the heart is systolic (highest). The pressure measured
when the heart dilates with blood flowing back into the
heart is called diastolic (lowest) blood pressure.
Why Measure Your Blood Pressure?
Among the various health problems afflicting modern
people, problems associated with high blood pressure are
by far the most common. High blood pressure's
dangerously strong correlation with cardiovascular disease
has made measuring blood pressure a necessity of
identifying those at risk.