Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in blood vessels called arteries. Blood pressure is the pressure of blood on arterial walls. It is produced by heart contractions and depends the elasticity of the arterial walls and the volume of blood. It is measured in millimeters of mercury.

There are two types of blood pressure: systolic and diastolic. The systolic pressure (as the heart beats) corresponds to the pressure of the blood when the heart has imparted the maximum pressure. The diastolic pressure (as the heart relaxes between beats) is the pressure when the heart is in the resting phase.

The blood pressure measurement is written one above or before the other, with the systolic number on top and diastolic number on the bottom. For example, 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). It is verbally told "120 over 80". The normal blood pressure is less than 120 mmHg systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolic.

A single high blood pressure reading does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. However, if readings stay systolic 140 or above or diastolic 90 or above over time you need treatment. If systolic is only high or only diastolic is high you have the problem of high blood pressure. Examples are 170/78 mmHg or 120/100 mmHg.

You have low blood pressure if you have the reading 90/60 mmHg or lower. Examples are 95/55 mmHg or 80/65 mmHg.
Young and healthy persons can control their blood pressure every two years. Persons above 30 years must go to the doctor once in a year to check.

Normal weight, healthy lifestyle, enough physical activities and the right food can help to keep the blood pressure normal. Try to avoid always personal or office stress.