As you may have noticed, at Saratoga Health and Wellness we take, monitor and record client blood pressures throughout the day. Blood pressure is typically recorded as two numbers, and written as a ratio (120/78 or 156/94). But what do these numbers mean and what should your resting blood pressure be?
The top number is known as your systolic blood pressure. This which is also the higher of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts). The bottom number, which is also the lower of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood).
What is the American Heart Associations recommendation for healthy blood pressure?
Your blood pressure rises with each heartbeat and falls when your heart relaxes between beats. While BP can change from minute to minute with changes in posture, exercise, stress or sleep, it should normally be less than 120/80 mm Hg (less than 120 systolic AND less than 80 diastolic) for an adult age 20 or over.
If you have any questions regarding blood pressure or would like your blood pressure checked, please feel free to contact us or ask us next time you’re in.