Blood pressure
What is blood pressure? Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels as the heart pumps blood. When a health care professional measures your blood pressure, you use a blood cuff on your arm that tightens gradually. Results are given in two digits. The first number, called systolic blood pressure, is the pressure caused by your heart to contract and pump blood. The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, is the pressure at which your heart is at ease and full of blood. A blood pressure reading is given as several systolic blood pressure in addition to the diastolic blood pressure number. Blood pressure levels are categorized based on those two numbers. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, systolic blood pressure is below 90 or diastolic blood pressure is below 60. If you have low blood pressure, you may feel lightheaded, weak, dizzy, or unconscious. It can be caused by malnutrition, blood loss, certain medical conditions...