About Blood Pressure; What Is Blood Pressure - A&D UA-705 Instruction Manual

About Blood Pressure

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of the
arteries. Systolic pressure occurs when the heart contracts; diastolic
pressure occurs when the heart expands. Blood pressure is measured
in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
What Affects Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is affected by many factors: age, weight, time of
day, activity level, climate, altitude and season. Certain activities can
significantly alter one's blood pressure. Walking can raise systolic
pressure by 12 mmHg and diastolic pressure by 5.5 mmHg. Sleeping
can decrease systolic blood pressure by as much as 10 mmHg. Taking
your blood pressure repeatedly without waiting an interval of 5 minutes
between readings, or without raising your arm to allow blood to flow
back to the heart, can also affect it.
In addition to these factors, beverages containing caffeine or alcohol,
certain medications, emotional stress and even tight-fitting clothes can
make a difference in the readings.
What Causes Variations In Blood Pressure?
An individual's blood pressure varies greatly from day to day and
season to season. For hypersensitive individuals, these variations are
even more pronounced. Normally, blood pressure rises during work or
play and falls to its lowest levels during sleep.
Fluctuation within a day (case: 35 year old male)
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