Blood Pressure Test

Overview

Hypertension (high blood pressure) increases the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. Your blood pressure is the force with which blood moves through your artery walls. Too much force (high blood pressure) can damage your artery walls and lead to cardiovascular disease.

Measuring blood pressure requires a very simple test that you’re likely familiar with. It usually involves a cuff inflating around your upper arm. Your blood pressure reading consists of two numbers that are measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg): your systolic pressure (top number) and your diastolic pressure (bottom number). Systolic pressure measures the pressure as your heart beats and pushes blood through the vessels, while diastolic pressure measures the pressure between heartbeats. The table below lists the different blood pressure categories based on your blood pressure measurement numbers.