Blood pressure refers to the force that blood exerts against vessel walls.
In the psychology context, blood pressure refers to the pressure that blood exerts against the walls of arteries as it circulates through the body. Blood pressure is an important physiological measure that can provide information about cardiovascular health and risk for various health conditions.
Blood pressure is typically measured using a sphygmomanometer, which consists of an inflatable cuff that is wrapped around the upper arm and a device that measures the pressure within the cuff. Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers: the systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, and the diastolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.
Normal blood pressure for adults is generally considered to be less than 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). Higher blood pressure can be indicative of hypertension, a condition that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other health problems.
Examples of factors that can affect blood pressure include age, gender, physical activity level, stress, diet, and medications. For example, individuals who engage in regular exercise and consume a healthy diet may be at lower risk for high blood pressure than those who are sedentary and consume a diet high in sodium and processed foods.
In addition to measuring blood pressure as a diagnostic tool, healthcare professionals may also use interventions such as lifestyle changes and medications to help manage and control high blood pressure.