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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
24031905 M7 GB 01-16 3/25/04 1:59 PM Pagina 15