How is blood pressure measured?

Blood pressure is measured as systolic over diastolic, which provides a clear and standardized way to express the pressure in the arteries during two key heart phases. The systolic measurement represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and pumps blood, while the diastolic measurement reflects the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. This notation (systolic/diastolic) is essential for assessing cardiovascular health and diagnosing conditions like hypertension.

Understanding blood pressure in this manner helps healthcare professionals communicate effectively regarding a patient's cardiovascular status and make informed decisions about treatment and management. Other methods of measurement or comparisons, such as looking at heart rate or using a digital display, do not fundamentally address the nature of blood pressure itself.