What do systolic and diastolic blood pressure measure?

Blood pressure measurements consist of two numbers, systolic and diastolic, which classify resting cardiovascular pressure in arteries. For most healthy adults, normal resting measurements are under 120 mmHg for the first number and 80 mmHg for the second. Persistently elevated readings at or above 130/80 mmHg indicate hypertension, a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease.

What we know

• Blood pressure is classified by two measurements, namely the systolic as the first number and diastolic as the second number. [3]
• For most adults, normal resting blood pressure is under 120 millimeters of mercury systolic and 80 millimeters of mercury diastolic. [3]
• Stage 1 high blood pressure is present if resting blood pressure is persistently at or above 130 over 80 millimeters of mercury. [3]
• Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a fall in systolic blood pressure of at least 20 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of at least 10 mmHg after standing. [4]

Where to go next

• what caused itWhat causes high blood pressure?
• what followedHow does hypertension affect health?
• how it workedHow do ventricles pump blood through the body?
• a case in pointWhat is orthostatic hypotension?
• compared withHow does pre-eclampsia alter blood pressure during pregnancy?
• an unexpected connectionCan pregnancy trigger dangerous spikes in blood pressure?Pre-eclampsia is a specific multi-system disorder in pregnancy defined by high blood pressure and potential end-organ damage after 20 weeks.

Sources

• [1]ventricle of the heart (Wikidata Q2002035) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Ventricle (heart) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Hypertension · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Orthostatic hypotension · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Pre-eclampsia · CC BY-SA 4.0