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15
Blood circulation
The blood circulation is responsible for supplying the
body with oxygen. Blood pressure is the pressure
exerted on the arteries.
The systolic blood pressure value (higher pressure or
top value) represents the blood pressure produced by
contraction of the heart muscle.
The diastolic blood pressure value (lower pressure or
lower value) represents the blood pressure produced
by relaxation of the heart muscle.
Classification of blood pressure
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Inter -
national Society of Hypertension (ISH) developed the
blood pressure classification. This classification is based
on the blood pressure values measured while sitting on
a chair in the outpatient department of a hospital.
Health and blood pressure
The incidence of hypertension increases with age. In
addition, a lack of exercise, excess body fat and high
levels of cholesterol (LDL), which sticks to the inside in
blood vessels, reduces elasticity of these vessels.
Hypertension accelerates arterial sclerosis which can
lead to very serious conditions such as stroke and
myocardial infarction. For these reasons it is very
important to know whether the blood pressure is within
a healthy range. Blood pressure fluctuates from
minute to minute, throughout the day. Therefore it is
essential to take regular measurements to help you
identify an average blood pressure.
Symptoms of high blood pressure
High blood pressure can go unnoticed for a long time,
since it does not cause noticeable symptoms. The
following are all possible causes of abnormally high
blood pressure:
• Overweight
• High cholesterol level
Optimal blood
pressure
(target value)
Normal blood
pressure
Normal systolic value
Mild hypertension
Moderate hypertension
Severe hypertension
Systolic blood pressure
(mmHg)
Diastolic
blood
pressure
(mmHg)
80
180
160
140
130
120
85 90 100 110
According to the blood pressure classification by the WHO/ISH.
10 General information about blood pressure