Your heart beats 60 to 100 times each minute.
Each beat propels blood from the heart into the blood vessels, and then it flows downstream to all of your organs.
As blood rushes into the blood vessels, the greatest pressure
generated is called the "systolic" blood pressure.
This is the TOP number of your blood pressure reading.
As blood flows downstream, the lowest pressure just before
the next heartbeat is called the "diastolic" blood pressure.
This is the BOTTOM number of your blood pressure reading.
NORMAL blood pressure is UNDER 120/80
HIGH blood pressure is 140/90 OR HIGHER
Significance of "prehypertension" 120-139/80-89 depends on the individual but always calls for careful attention to diet and exercise.
