Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is a measurable quantity that describes the pressure with which blood flows through the blood vessels of the organism. It is colloquially referred to as vascular pressure. More specifically, blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood on the walls of the blood vessels (the force acting on the area). This force is necessary to ensure blood flow to the most distant vessels and thus to secure the oxygen and nutrient supply throughout the organism. The pressure particularly depends on two factors. First, the force with which the heart pumps blood into the circulatory system, and second, the condition, i.e., elasticity and diameter of the blood vessels. Blood pressure is within a certain range when no diseases are present. For this reason, measuring blood pressure is one of the fundamental and very informative examinations at the doctor's office.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

Blutdruck-Rechner:

Systolisch: mmHg
Diastolisch: mmHg

Der Rechner gibt eine Einschätzung des Blutdruckwerte nach der von uns entwickelten Tabelle für global harmonisierte Blutdruck-Normwerte. Der Blutdruck wird bestimmt nach optimal, normal, hochnormal oder Bluthochdruck (Hypertonie).
Eine solche automatische Bewertung kann niemals einen Arztbesuch ersetzen, da für die individuelle Blutdruckeinstellung auch weitere Erkrankungen und Risikofaktoren mit in das Behandlungskonzept eingebunden werden. Besprechen Sie fraglich erhöhte Blutdruckwerte also immer mit Ihrem Arzt.
Bitte beachten Sie auch, dass laut einigen Leitlinien bei häuslichen Messungen ein Blutdruck von >=135 und/oder >=85 mmHg als Bluthochdruck gilt.

Image: Anatomical representation of the heart.

Blood pressure is a value for the pressure of blood on the vessel walls. During a pumping action of the heart, the pressure is higher than during the relaxation phase. Therefore, two values are always recorded during blood pressure measurement: the systolic (pumping action higher value) and the diastolic (relaxation phase lower value).

Definitions and classification of blood pressure values according to the German Hypertension League:

	systolic (mmHg)	diastolic (mmHg)
optimal	< 120	< 80
normal	120-129	80-84
high normal	130-139	85-89
Hypertension Stage 1	140-159	90-99
Hypertension Stage 2	160-179	100-109
Hypertension Stage 3	>= 180	>= 110
Isolated Systolic Hypertension	>= 140	< 90

It should be noted that the pressure conditions within the circulatory system of the organism vary. In medicine, blood pressure is always referred to as the pressure present in the arteries. The arteries are the vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body periphery. The ideal measurement site for blood pressure is the brachial artery in the upper arm. It is located approximately at heart level. However, measuring at the wrist is also possible with proper positioning. This blood pressure is distinguished from a central venous blood pressure.

Blood pressure depends on a variety of factors. The fundamental factor for normal blood pressure is the strength of the heart. It indicates how forcefully blood is pushed from the heart through the vessels. Additionally, the cross-section and elasticity of the blood vessels are responsible for the level of blood pressure. They determine the resistance encountered during blood flow.

Blood pressure in the vessels of the systemic circulation is higher than in the pulmonary circulation, which is also referred to as the small circulation. Furthermore, blood pressure in the arteries is always higher than in the veins or the small capillaries.

Blood pressure always consists of two values, which depend on various influences. These factors include physical and psychological stress, age, and general physical constitution. The difference between the two blood pressure values is called pulse pressure.

Blood pressure tends to increase with advancing age. One reason for this is that the elasticity of the blood vessel walls decreases. This is particularly the case due to arteriosclerosis. As a result of various diseases, blood pressure can also deviate from normal values. If blood pressure is predominantly in the higher ranges above the normal value, this is referred to as hypertension. Some people also live with lower blood pressure (below the normal value). These are the so-called hypotonic individuals. A decrease in blood pressure is referred to as hypotension or low blood pressure. It occurs less frequently than hypertension. There is a special form of low blood pressure, known as orthostatic hypotension, which can also occur in people with high blood pressure.

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This article is from BloodPressureDB the leading app since 2011 that supports hundreds of thousands in blood pressure monitoring every day. Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 10/2024).

Author Sabine Croci is a certified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has been leading the editorial team of BloodPressureDB since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder, and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.

Blood Pressure

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