Understanding Blood Pressure What is it? Blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure that blood exerts on the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure varies slightly throughout the day; when you relax, blood pressure decreases, and when you move or feel stressed, blood pressure increases. But high blood pressure over a long period of time is associated with serious health risks, including damage to the heart, brain and eyes. Similarly, chronic low blood pressure is sometimes associated with health risks. Fortunately, there are ways to control both high and low blood pressure. What do the blood pressure numbers mean? The blood pressure reading consists of two numbers. The first is the systolic pressure. The second number refers to the diastolic pressure. "Systole" means "contraction" in Latin. Systolic blood pressure is the highest pressure exerted when the heart beats (contracts) and exerts pressure on the blood vessels. "Diastolic" is related to the Latin word "dilate. Diastolic blood pressure is the lowest pressure exerted on the blood vessels when the heart is at rest between beats, when it expands. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures are usually easy to record with a blood pressure cuff. Blood pressure measurements are recorded as systolic/diastolic pressure in mm Hg; for example, 120/80 mm Hg. What are the normal blood pressure ranges by age for men? Average blood pressure in men varies by age group. Men aged 31-35 have the lowest normal blood pressure (114.5/75.5). The highest blood pressure is in men aged 61-65 (143.5/76.5). What are the normal blood pressure ranges by age for women? As with men, women's average blood pressure also varies by age group. The age group with the lowest normal blood pressure differs between systolic and diastolic pressure readings. Women aged 21-25 have the lowest diastolic blood pressure (115.5-70.5), while women aged 31-35 have the lowest systolic pressure (110.5/72.5). The age group with the highest normal blood pressure reading is women aged 56-60 (132.5/78.5). Categories of high blood pressure You can divide high blood pressure into five categories, according to the American College of Cardiology guidelines:

• Normal: Normal blood pressure in adults is any blood pressure below 120/80.
• Upgraded: In adults, elevated blood pressure is a systolic reading of 120-129 and a diastolic reading of less than 80.
• I degree of hypertension: This grade includes a blood pressure range of 130-139 (systolic) or 80-89 (diastolic).
• Stage II hypertension: this stage includes blood pressure ranges above 140 (systolic) or above 90 (diastolic).
• Hypertensive crisis: Severely elevated blood pressure is defined as greater than 180 and/or 120 and associated with new or worsening organ damage.

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