Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

Your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers:

Systolic blood pressure (the first number) – indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when the heart contracts.

Diastolic blood pressure (the second number) – indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while the heart muscle is resting between contractions.

Blood Pressure Categories

Note: A diagnosis of high blood pressure must be confirmed with a medical professional. A health care professional should also evaluate any unusually low blood pressure readings.