Blood pressure (strictly speaking: vascular pressure) refers to the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, and constitutes one of the principal vital signs. Unlike vascular pressure, arterial pressure is the force at which blood travels through the arteries, arterioles, capillaries and veins in the body and usually decreases as it travels to extremities farther away from the heart.

For years, a non-invasive device called a sphygmomanometer (an instrument that provides measurement readings in accordance with the level of mercury in a column or cylindrical glass tube) has been utilized to calculate the pressure of blood flow as it circulates in the body. While most modern blood pressure devices no longer contain mercury, pressure level values continue to be reported in millimeters of mercury, or mmHg. The systolic arterial pressure is defined as the peak pressure in the arteries, which occurs near the beginning of the cardiac cycle; the diastolic arterial pressure is the lowest pressure (at the resting phase of the cardiac cycle). The pulse pressure refers to the difference in maximum and minimum pressure level values, and the total overall pressure during the cardiac cycle is referred to as the mean arterial pressure level.

For a healthy adult in a rested state, normal blood pressure levels are 120 mmHg (16 kPa) for the systolic reading and 80 mmHg (11kPa) for the diastolic pressure. This is normally written as 120/80 mmHg and is spoken as “one hundred twenty over eighty”. Although the 120/80 mmHg is a common benchmark, normal readings vary widely depending on the health and overall fitness of the individual. These measures of arterial pressure are not static, but undergo natural variations from one heartbeat to another and throughout the day (in a circadian rhythm); they also change in response to stress, nutritional factors, drugs, or disease.

If your arterial blood pressure is too high, the condition is known as hypertension. On the other hand, if your pressure levels are too low, the condition is known as hypotension. Next to measuring a person’s body temperature, blood pressure measurements are the second most commonly basic health test performed on individuals.

Your good health is the most valuable asset you can have and if you have a blood pressure concern, research all the guidance you can find. Seeking professional advice is essential and discuss your blood pressure concerns with your medical practitioner. Weigh up your findings and fine tune your plan of action for maintaining good health and a good blood pressure level.

This article is a simple overview of blood pressure and its many facets. For more in depth information on this subject and all other cardiac fitness related topics, use reliable specialist sites that deal with blood pressure issues.