Measuring blood pressure is a crucial aspect of maintaining good health. It is a simple and painless procedure, but it provides valuable information about the state of your cardiovascular system.
Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of your arteries. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and is typically written as two numbers. The first number is the systolic pressure, which is the pressure when your heart beats and pumps blood out. The second number is the diastolic pressure, which is the pressure when your heart relaxes between beats.
Regular blood pressure monitoring is important for several reasons. It can help you identify and manage conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and hypotension (low blood pressure). Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Hypotension can also be dangerous, as it can lead to dizziness, fainting, and shock.