It s the amount of force on the artery walls when the heart beats. Diastolic pressure is the second, smaller number. It s the amount of force when the heart is at rest. When someone takes your blood pressure, both numbers are measured. The harder it is for blood to flow through your blood vessels, the higher both numbers may be, indicating a greater strain on your heart.
Blood pressure falls within a range.
Individuals whose blood pressure is consistently higher than normal have high blood pressure. Researchers have learned that certain factors increase the chances that you will develop high blood pressure. These include age, sex and heredity. Modifiable risk factors that influence high blood pressure include smoking, being overweight and lack of regular physical activity. Have it checked regularly by a health professional.