Have you had your blood pressure taken in the past but not really known what the numbers refer to?
Your blood pressure measurement is expressed with two numbers, the top number (systolic) and bottom number (diastolic), like a fraction. For example, 120/80.
Both numbers are important. Numbers greater than the ideal range indicate that your heart is working too hard to pump blood to the rest of your body. Keeping your blood pressure in the normal range is important to prevent further complications. That is why it is important to have your Doctor, Pharmacist or Nurse explain what your numbers mean.
SYSTOLIC
The top number refers to the amount of pressure in your arteries during contraction of your heart muscle. This is called systolic pressure.
DIASTOLIC
The bottom number refers to your blood pressure when your heart muscle is between beats. This is called diastolic pressure.
