What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of arteries, measured in mmHg.

• Normal: 120/80 mmHg (systolic / diastolic)
• Systolic = force during heartbeat; Diastolic = force between beats.
• High blood pressure = hypertension strains arteries and heart.
• Measured by sphygmomanometer.

Blood pressure measures the force of blood on artery walls, normally 120/80 mmHg.