Medical glossary
Blood Pressure
The pressure of blood in arteries, reported as systolic/diastolic.
Definition
Blood pressure is the force of circulating blood on artery walls. The top number (systolic) is measured when the heart contracts; the bottom (diastolic) when it relaxes between beats. Healthy is generally under 120/80 mm Hg.
Clinical context
Persistently elevated readings define hypertension and raise risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease.
See also
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Glossary entries are general reference, not medical advice for any specific person.