How to determine if blood pressure is high or low
Blood pressure levels are clinically assessed primarily by measuring systolic and diastolic pressures.
Normal blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure between 90 mmHg and 139 mmHg and a diastolic pressure between 60 mmHg and 89 mmHg. Hypertension is diagnosed in adults when, without the use of antihypertensive medications, systolic blood pressure is ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure is ≥90 mmHg. Hypotension is defined as a systolic pressure <90 mmHg and/or a diastolic pressure <60 mmHg in adults.
Blood pressure refers to the lateral pressure exerted by flowing blood on the walls of blood vessels per unit area. Blood pressure levels are influenced by five main factors: stroke volume, peripheral resistance, heart rate, elasticity of the aorta and large arteries, and the circulating blood volume relative to vascular capacity. Blood pressure assessment helps evaluate cardiac function and peripheral vascular resistance, and serves as an important indicator for diagnosing diseases, monitoring disease progression, and assessing treatment effectiveness.