21
English
20
What is blood pressure?
Blood is pumped to artery by the beat (con-
traction and expansion) of a pump called the
heart. The pressure to pump out blood to
artery is called the "systolic blood pressure."
The pressure when the heart expands as the
blood having circulated the whole body
returns is called the "diastolic blood pres-
sure."
Health and blood pressure
Blood pressure fluctuates being affected by
everyday life and age. Hypertension is a sign
that can cause dangerous diseases such as
cerebral apoplexy or myocardial infarction to
occur easily. By understanding the state of
your blood pressure, review your health and
lifestyle.
Systolic blood pressure
Diastolic blood pressure
Blood is pumped out.
Blood returns to heart.
Artery
Vascular
wall
Contraction
Pressure
to vascular
wall
increases.
Vein
Vascular
wall
Expansion
Pressure to
vascular wall
drops.
Lifestyle
Excessive intake of salt,
Excessive consumption of alcohol,
Obesity, Lack of exercise
Hypertension
Arterial sclerosis
Danger of Cerebral apoplexy, Myocardial infarction
(mmHg)
According to the blood pressure classification by the WHO/ISH* (revised in 1999)
* International Society of Hypertension
(mmHg)
80
85
90
100
110
120
130
140
160
180
Systolic blood pressure
Diastolic
blood
pressure
Optimal blood
pressure
(target value)
Normal blood pressure
Normal systolic value
Mild hypertension
Moderate hypertension
Severe hypertension
Hypertension guide
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the
International Society of Hypertension (ISH) estab-
lished the Blood Pressure Classification. Use this
Classification as the guide to know the state of your
blood pressure. However, if you are concerned with
your blood pressure, be sure to follow the instructions
of your doctor.
• There is no universally accepted definition of
hypotension. Generally speaking, those with the
systolic pressure below 100 mmHg are considered
to be hypotension.
• This classification is made based on the
blood pressure values measured at upper
arm by sitting on the chair in the hospital
regardless of the age.
Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor
Blood pressure at the upper arm and wrist
Blood pressure is usually measured at brachial artery.
As the wrist arterial vessel is connected to the brachial ves-
sel, wrist blood pressure values are close to brachial ones
and reflect the change of brachial blood pressures.
However in case there is a circulatory disorder such as
arterial infarction, fairly large difference is observed
between the brachial and the wrist blood pressure values.
After consulting with your doctor, use the wrist blood pres-
sure together with the brachial pressure for your health
management.
Brachial
artery
Wrist artery
(Radial artery)
(Ulnar artery)
Heart
