Blood pressure readings measure the force the blood exerts on the arteries as the heart pumps blood to the body. Blood pressure indicates how hard the heart is pumping to push the blood to the body as well as how effectively the arteries accommodate the force of the blood as it passes.
Blood Pressure Test
Blood pressure is measured manually or mechanically. Manual blood pressure readings are taken with a stethoscope and a sphygmomanometer, and mechanical blood pressure readings are obtained by using a machine. Both methods produce a reading composed of two pressure readings, a systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
Systolic Pressure
The first measurement recorded, the systolic pressure, measures the maximum force the heart exerts as it contracts to pump blood to the body. The ideal systolic pressure for healthy adults is 120 mm Hg.
Diastolic Pressure
The second measurement taken, the diastolic pressure, measures the minimum pressure in the arteries between contractions when the heart is at rest. The ideal diastolic pressure for adults is 80 mm Hg.
Blood Pressure Results
The two components of the blood pressure result are recorded like a fraction, with the systolic pressure written over the diastolic pressure. For example, the optimal blood pressure for a healthy adult is recorded as 120 over 80, or 120/80.
