Blood does not flow through the body in a steady stream; instead, it courses in spurts. Thus, blood pressure is expressed in two numbers, such as 120/80. The higher number indicates the systolic pressure, the peak force when the heart contracts and pumps a small amount of blood into the circulation. The lower number, the diastolic reading, measures pressure exerted when the heart is resting momentarily between beats. The units of blood pressure measurement are millimeters of mercury; basically this measures how high the pressure of the blood can push a column of mercury in an evacuated tube.
A doctor usually uses a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer to measure blood pressure. The cuff is tightened to stop blood flow, and as pressure is released, he listens for the sounds that indicate systolic and diastolic pressure. If your resting blood pressure is consistently 140/90 or higher, you have high blood pressure. Normal adult blood pressure is defined as below 120/80; hypertension is classified as follows:
Note: Some people have a normal systolic reading but a high diastolic pressure; they are classified as hypertensive. Other people have isolated systolic hypertension.
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