High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
December 9, 2008 by rainier
Blood pressure is the force put on the walls of your blood vessels as blood travels through your body. Blood pressure helps pump blood to your body.
Taking Your Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is often checked by putting a wide band called a cuff around your upper arm. Air is pumped into the cuff. Your blood pressure is measured as the air is let out of the cuff.Blood pressure is one number over a second number.
• The top number is higher and is called the systolic reading. It is the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart pumps.
• The bottom number is lower and is called the diastolic reading. It is the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart rests between beats.
Normal Blood Pressure
Normal blood pressure is 120 over 80 or less. Blood pressure varies from person to person. Each person’s blood pressure changes from hour to hour and from day to day.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is also called hypertension. High blood pressure is 140 over 90 or higher. A diagnosis of high blood pressure is not made until your blood pressure is checked several times and it stays high.
