Generally a normal blood pressure reading is considered 120/80. The top number (120) is our systolic pressure and the bottom number (80) relates to the diastolic pressure. But just what is systolic and diastolic pressure?
Systolic pressure (the top figure) is the arterial blood pressure exerted when the heart contracts and pumps blood through the arteries in the body. Whilst the diastolic pressure (the bottom figure) relates to the pressure in the heart as it rest between each heartbeat.
You may have noticed that the systolic and diastolic measurements are sometimes measured in mm Hg. This is shorthand for millimetres of Mercury, as Hg is the chemical symbol for mercury.
Up until relatively recently the most convenient way to measure blood pressure was to use a device that incorporated tubes filled with mercury, that would rise and fall to display the persons blood pressure.
There are of course now electronic devices that are used in most doctors surgery, which tend to be more convenient. Also, there is a growing market in home blood pressure monitors that allow people to track their progress of any treatment they are receiving.
Generally, one reading is not sufficient to confirm that a person has […]

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