BMP-4228W
8
BLooD PrESSUrE - gENEraL INforMatIoN
Blood circulation ensures an appropriate supply of oxygen to the body. Blood pressure is the pressure the blood
exerts on the artery wall. The systolic value (upper value) can be measured when the myocardium contracts and
forces blood into the arteries. The diastolic value (lower value) is measured when the myocardium relaxes and
blood flows from the veins into the heart.
Myocardium contracts
Blood flows out
Pressure rises in
the blood vessels
Higher pressure
Myocardium relaxes
Blood flows back to the heart
Pressure decreases
in the blood vessels
Lower pressure
Systolic blood pressure
Diastolic blood pressure
In the human body, blood pressure increases naturally with age. This is the result of aging of the blood vessels.
Increased blood pressure can be further aggravated by smoking, regular consumption of alcohol and drinks
containing caffeine, extreme salt consumption, stress and lack of regular exercise. Also latent diseases such
as problems with the kidneys or a high level of cholesterol (LDL) can cause increased blood pressure, because
they result in the blood vessels losing flexibility. High blood pressure increases the risk of a stroke or myocardial
infarction. Due to the fact that high blood pressure causes symptoms that can remain unnoticed for a long time,
it is necessary to check our blood pressure regularly, to make sure that it is within the healthy range. A person’s
blood pressure fluctuates during the day, as a result of exercise or changes in our mood, and this is why only the
average of several measurements or the number of changes can give us meaningful results.
Upper curve: Systolic blood pressure values
Lower curve: Diastolic blood pressure values
The average of the measured blood pressure values can be evaluated on the basis of the figure below. Systolic
values below 90 indicate low blood pressure.
