What is blood pressure ? How is it measured ?
A. 1) The pressure with which the blood flows in the blood vessels is known as blood pressure. , ,
2) Blood pressure is measured in the upper arm artery.
3) There are two pressure readings. ■
4) One measures the strongest pressure during the time blood is forced out of the ventricles. This is called systolic pressure.
5) For a healthy young adult it will be 120 mm of Hg.
6) The second reading is taken during the rest period, as the ventricles refill with blood. This is called diastolic pressure.
7) The diastolic pressure will be 80 mm of Hg.
8) Doctors measure the blood pressure with a device called sphygmomanometer.