Blood pressure is a measure of the force that your heart uses to pump
blood around your body.
Therapists should no know how to take blood pressure (blood pressure machines are available from most chemists and medical companies).
There are various blood pressure measuring devices available on the market and should come with a set of instructions on how to use it.
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mm-Hg) and is
given as 2 figures:
- Systolic pressure – the pressure when your heart pushes blood out
- Diastolic pressure – the pressure when your heart rests between beats
For example, if your blood pressure is “120 over 80” or 120/80mmHg, it means you have a systolic pressure of 130mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 80mmHg.
As a general guide, an ideal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. High blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher, and low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or lower.
For more details about blood pressure visit : www.bloodpressureuk.com
