What do the numbers mean in blood pressure results?
Systemic blood pressure is an important measure of overall cardiovascular health. However, the two numbers given to you by health care professionals may seem like medical jargon without an explanation. The numbers are by no means arbitrary.Number MeaningsThe numbers given for blood pressure are in mmHg, the amount of pressure exerted by a certain amount of liquid mercury. For instance, 120 means the amount of pressure exerted by a 120-millimeter column of mercury.First NumberThe first number given, the larger of the two, refers to systolic blood pressure, according to the textbook Human Anatomy and Physiology. Systolic pressure is the point when the heart pumps blood from the left ventricle into the aorta.Normal RangeA healthy human systolic blood pressure usually falls between 110 and 140 mmHg. A consistent reading of 140 or more is an indicator of high blood pressure, or hypertension.Second NumberThe second number refers to diastolic pressure, the time during the cardiac cycle when t
