Understanding Blood Pressure: What's Normal and What's Not
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood against the walls of blood vessels. It is usually measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and is expressed as two numbers:
* Systolic blood pressure: This is the pressure when the heart beats and pumps blood out to the body.
* Diastolic blood pressure: This is the pressure when the heart rests between beats.
A normal blood pressure is considered to be less than 120/80 mm Hg. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is considered to be 140/90 mm Hg or higher.
Blood pressure can be affected by a number of factors, including:
* Age
* Race
* Gender
* Weight
* Diet
* Exercise
* Smoking
* Alcohol consumption
* Stress
It is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly, especially if you have any of the risk factors for high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to a number of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and dementia.
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