Understanding Hypertension

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension is blood pressure which stays high for a long period of time. The heart pumps blood through arteries and veins throughout the body. Blood pressure is a measure of the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHG) and has two numbers, for example 120/80.

• The first number is the systolic blood pressure, which is a measure of the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats.
• The second number is the diastolic blood pressure, which is a measure of the pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes.

Blood pressure varies throughout the day and it is regulated automatically by our body. Pressure is generally lower when we are at rest and higher when we are active or stressed. Women usually have a lower blood pressure than men, though blood pressure varies among people.