Blood Pressure

[Stuboy]

While we were at the Body Worlds exhibition on saturday, i took my blood pressure... i've yet to really understand exactly what each number means, i haven't read anything yet that's made it really clear what the numbers mean.
Can someone explain it in laymens terms?!

My blood pressure was 116/74... is that good? bad? indifferent?

 

[graham64]

Hi Stuboy,
Your BP is very good have a look at the link:
http://www.bpassoc.org.uk/BloodPressure ... atisnormal

Regards Graham

 

[sugarless sue]

Try this link Stu.

http://www.bpassoc.org.uk/BloodPressure ... atisnormal

 

[graham64]

Beat you to it Sue :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[sugarless sue]

SNAP!!!great minds again,Graham!! :lol: :lol:

 

[Stuboy]

thanks!

found this bit...

The first (or top) number is your systolic blood pressure. It is the highest level your blood pressure reaches when your heart beats.

The second (or bottom) number is your diastolic blood pressure. It is the lowest level your blood pressure reaches as your heart relaxes between beats.

That explains it nicely!

Apparently, a red blood cell can travel your entire body in 20 seconds! Learnt that at body worlds :wink:

 

[totsy]

its amazing is the body ,im just doing a biology uni course and its very interesting indeed

 

[IanD]

My systolic BP dropped 10 points - 135 to 125 - by reduced carbing.

 

[increasingly cynical]

Those readings are good. The first one is the systolic blood pressure (blood pressure as heart is contracting) A reading of around 120 is normal for an adult, slightly below is slightly better. The 2nd reading is the diastolic pressure (blood pressure as heart is expanding ) 80 or slightly below is normal for an adult.

Congrats, your BP is healthy!