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'''Blood pressure''' is the force of [[blood]] exerted on the inside walls of [[blood vessel]]s, and is one of the chief [[vital signs]].  It is measured by a health care professional using a sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure is expressed as a ratio (e.g. 190/110). The first number is the [[systolic]] pressure&mdash; the pressure when the [[ventricles]] are contracting, pumping blood into the arteries. The second number is the [[diastolic]] pressure&mdash; the pressure when [[ventricles]] are filling with blood and the heart is at rest.  The ideal blood pressure for a healthy, adult male is 120/80.  

Blood pressure is not static&mdash;that is, it is constantly fluctuating.  Factors that may attribute to a change in blood pressure include stress, physical exertion, drugs, and even merely from standing up too quickly (referred to as ''orthostatic hypotension'')

[[Hypertension]] (high blood pressure) and [[hypotension]] (low blood pressure) are abnormal medical conditions which can be hazardous to your health, though very easily treatable with proper medication, diet, and exercise.

==References==
* [http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4473 American Heart Association]

[[Category:Anatomy]]