What is blood pressure? Blood pressure is the measure of the force of the blood on the walls of the arteries, as it travels from the heart through the body. A person's blood pressure doesn't remain at a constant level. It can fluctuate as daily activities change. Exercise, stress, rest and sleep are all activities that can cause these changes.

How is blood pressure measured? Blood pressure is measured with an instrument called a Sphygmomanometer and is measured by comparing the pressure of the blood in the artery - usually in the arm - against a column of air or mercury in a calibrated tube. The pressure is measured in two steps. The first is when the heart is pumping or contracting - so the artery will be filled with blood, this is called Systolic Pressure. The second is when the heart is released between beats - so the artery will be slack, this is called Diastolic Pressure.

What is high blood pressure? High blood pressure is also called Hypertension. This does not mean that a person is agitated or very tense. It simply means that taking into account the persons details, the blood pressure is greater than accepted normal levels for that person. Higher than normal blood pressure levels can put an individual into a high risk-factor group of suffering a stroke or heart attack. The higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk.

What is normal blood pressure? Normal blood pressure might be anywhere in the range between 100/60 to 150/90. Ideally, normal blood pressure should fall about half way between these readings, with variations either way being age related.

What are the dangers of high blood pressures? Prolonged high blood pressure can cause not only stroke and heart attack, but can also cause heart failure, eye damage and kidney disease. It also damages the arteries. High blood pressure contributes to the development of fatty deposits in the walls of the arteries, called atherosclerosis. The higher the blood pressure and the longer it is uncontrolled, the greater the amount of fatty deposits within the arteries. Atherosclerosis causes the arteries to narrow, restricting the blood supply to the heart, brain and other major organs. This lack of blood supply is what can cause a person to have a stroke, heart attack or other organ failure.

What can influence high blood pressure?

1. Family history - a history of high blood pressure in your family can put you into a high risk group of having high blood pressure. It is common for high blood pressure to be passed down from generation to generation.

2. Age - it is common for high blood pressure to increase with age. Therefore older people are more at risk of high blood pressure than those who are younger.

3. Activity - people who lead active lives are much less likely to develop high blood pressure or heart and artery disease.

4. Weight - people who are overweight are more at risk of high blood pressure than those who are of normal weight. Blood pressure tends to rise as body weight increases.

5. Diet - a diet high in fat and sugar can cause blood pressure to rise. The healthier the diet, the less risk there is of high blood pressure and of blood pressure related disease.

6. Alcohol - studies have shown that people who drink the equivalent of three or more glasses of alcohol a day are three times more likely to have high blood pressure than non drinkers.

7. Smoking - cigarette smoking does not cause high blood pressure. Smoking reduces the oxygen supply to the heart and increases the heart's demand for oxygen. Smoking is an independent risk factor for heart attack, stroke and gangrene of the legs.

In conclusion: Blood pressure is the measure of the force of the blood on the walls of the arteries. It is measure with an instrument called a Sphygmomanometer. Normal blood pressure is between 100/60 to 150/90. High blood pressure is a blood pressure of more than the upper limits of normal. Prolonged periods of high blood pressure can cause permanent damages to the eye, brain, kidney, heart and artery. Factors that can influence high blood pressure include family history of high blood pressure, age, the types of activity you do, weight, diet, alcohol and cigarette smoking.