Blood Pressure

[biggleswade]

Please can someone help. A friend recently had a blood pressure test and was told it was 148 over 72. At the time she didn't ask what this meant and I have no idea but could someone please tell us?.

Thank you.

[Sqad]

Yes..........the 148 higher of the two readings is called the Systolic BP and defines the pressure in the main arteries when the heart pumps the blood out (Systole)

The 72 or lower figure is a measure of the blood in those very same arteries when the heart relaxes and is called the Diastolic BP.

Looks fine to me, the 148 is a bit on the high side, but no big deal.

[jake-the-peg]

More here:

http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPressureandyou/Thebasics/Bloodpressurechart

[MustangLady]

Thanks Sqad, that's always something I mean to ask when I'm having mine taken but forget to ask. Well explained :)

[gsr600]

my upper was between 190/186 yesterday waiting to be discharged from hospital.
otherwise it had been about 145 the 3 days I was there

[biggleswade]

Thank you for your explanation. Perfectly clear now.