Understanding Blood Pressure Basics
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Blood pressure is one of the most important indicators of heart health. It measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as the heart pumps. Understanding blood pressure basics can help you take preventive steps to maintain a healthy heart and avoid serious complications. What is Blood Pressure? Blood pressure is recorded with two numbers: systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number). The systolic pressure shows how much force your blood exerts when the heart beats, while diastolic pressure measures the force when the heart rests between beats. A normal reading is around 120/80 mmHg . Higher readings indicate hypertension (high blood pressure) , while lower readings may suggest hypotension ( low blood pressure ) . Both conditions require attention and guidance from a healthcare professional. Why is Blood Pressure Important? Uncontrolled blood pressure increases the risk of: Heart attack Stroke Kidney disease Eye problems Because high bl...