High Blood Pressure

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. The pressure in a person's arteries (blood vessels) is determined by the pumping action of the heart and the resistance (degree of stiffness) in the arteries. When the heart contracts and pushes the blood through the arteries, the pressure rises and reaches a peak, called the systolic pressure. During the relaxation of the heart muscle, the pressure falls and reaches a low level, called the diastolic pressure. Blood pressure is always recorded as the systolic reading over the diastolic reading. Norma