Nutrition Dictionary

Blood pressure

Blood pressure is one of the important vital signs; it refers to the pressure exerted upon the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood throughout the body. Blood pressure is indicated in terms of systolic pressure over diastolic pressure, for example a normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If the value is higher than 140/90 mmHg,then it is considered high, and a consistently high blood pressure increases the risk of heart failure, heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.