Blood pressure: basics and measuring

In short: Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood in the arteries. It is given as two values: the upper (systolic) at the heartbeat and the lower (diastolic) in the pause, in mmHg.

In more detail: About below 120/80 mmHg is considered normal; permanently above 140/90 is considered raised (hypertension).

In detail

• Hypertension: Often without symptoms but raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Measuring: After five minutes of rest, seated, arm at heart level, suitable cuff, measure twice.
• Time: Morning and evening, record values in a log.
• Influences: Stress, caffeine, salt, overweight, lack of exercise, smoking.
• Prevention: Exercise, little salt, healthy weight, little alcohol (ausdauertraining-grundlagen).
• Low blood pressure: Dizziness possible; stand up slowly, drink enough (trinken-und-fluessigkeitsbedarf).
• Doctor: Have repeatedly raised values medically checked.
• Note: Not a substitute for medical advice.