American Diagnostic Corporation (ADC) Advantage 6005 - Manual (Page 6)

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2. About Blood Pressure
A. What is Blood Pressure?
Simply put, arterial blood pressure is the force of blood exerted against the walls of the arteries. There are two components to blood
pressure - systolic and diastolic pressure. Systolic, the higher pressure, occurs during contraction of the heart. Diastolic, the lower pres-
sure, occurs when the heart is at ”rest.“
Blood pressure is traditionally measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). It is recorded as systolic/diastolic. For example, a sys-
tolic of 120 and diastolic of 80 would be recorded 120/80.
Blood pressure is a dynamic vital sign - one that changes constantly and throughout the day. A person’s ”resting“ blood pressure is
the pressure that exists first thing in the morning while a person is still at rest and before consumption of food or drink.
B. What is a Normal Blood Pressure?
A systolic pressure of less than 120mmHg and a diastolic pressure of under 80mmHg are recognized as normal by the Joint National
Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, 2003. However, individual blood pressure will vary.
Note: Blood pressure does increase with age,
so you must check with your doctor to find out what is “normal” for you!
C. What Influences Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is influenced by many factors including age, weight, physical conditioning, past illness, time of day,
altitude, activity, and climate, to name just a few. In general, blood pressure is lower in the morning and increases
throughout the day. It is lower in warm weather, and higher in cold weather.
Physical activity can have a significant short term impact on blood pressure. Work, exercise, smoking, eating, drink-
ing - even talking, laughing, or crying will all affect a person’s blood pressure.
Your diet, including beverages containing caffeine or alcohol may all affect blood pressure. Emotional stress can have
a dramatic impact on your blood pressure.
Even repeated blood pressure measurements taken without adequate rest between readings will alter your blood
pressure as the vessels in your arm engorge with blood.
Many of these influences are only temporary or short term, though chronic (long term) exposure to some factors
may result in permanently elevated blood pressure levels.