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General information about blood pressure
Classification of Blood Pressure by the
W
orld Health
Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Society of
Hypertension (ISH) developed the Blood Pressure Classification shown in
the Figure.
(This classification is made based on the blood pressure values
measured by sitting on the chair in the outpatient department of hospital.)
Moderate hypertension
Mild hypertension
Normal blood
pressure
Optimal blood
Severe hypertension
Normal systolic value
(target value)
pressure
180
Systolic blood pressure
(mmHg)
Diastolic
blood
pressure
(mmHg)
According to the blood pressure classification by the WHO/ISH*
(revised in 1999) *ISH: International Society of Hypertension
160
140
130
120
80
85
90
100 110
Pulmonary
capillary
Pulmonary vein
Aorta
Left atrium
Arteriole
Left ventricle
Arteriole
Pulmonary artery
Vena cava
Venule
Right ventricle
Venule
Capillary
Right atrium
The blood circulation is responsible for supplying the body with oxygen. Blood
pressure is the pressure exerted on the arteries when the blood flows through
them.
The higher blood pressure value (=systolic pressure or top value) signifies the
blood pressure produced by contraction of the heart muscle and subsequent
pumping of blood into the arterial system.
* There is no universally accepted definition of hypotension. However,
those having the systolic pressure below 100 mmHg are assumed as
hypotension.
The lower blood pressure value (=diastolic pressure or lower value) represents
the blood pressure produced by the relaxation phase of the heart muscle, during
wich blood flows back into the heart.
R5-I
Health and blood pressure
When people are aged, the cases of hypertensoin increase noticeably.
aging, deterioration of blood vessels proceeds.
se, cholesterol (LDL) sticks
Hypertension promotes arterial sclerosis, which causes dangerous
bral apoplexy or myocardial infarction to occur
blood pressures are at a
and minute to minute. Measurement of blood pressures is an essential
factor for our daily health management.
Furthermore, with the
In addition, due to obesity and lack of exerci
to blood vessels, causing the elasticity of the vessels to decrease.
diseases such as cere
more easily. Therefore, we must know if our
healthy level. Blood pressure fluctuates in daily life from day to day
