On a blood pressure monitor, what does the top figure stand for and what does the bottom figure stand for?

Answer 1

The systolic pressure is defined as the peak pressure in the arteries during the cardiac cycle; the diastolic pressure is the lowest pressure (at the resting phase of the cardiac cycle). The mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure are other important quantities.

Answer 2

The systolic blood pressure, which is the top number, represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood into the arteries. The diastolic pressure, which is the bottom number, represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes after the contraction. The diastolic pressure, therefore, reflects the minimum pressure to which the arteries are exposed.

You should know that over time, high blood pressure can damage your kidneys. Which in turn will cause your blood pressure to increase even more. It can be a vicious circle.

I speak from experience.

Answer 3

When reading blood pressure, the top is your systolic and the bottom the diastolic.

In short, when they use a cuff to take your blood pressure, they squeeze so that no blood goes through, then release the pressure until they just hear the blood going through (systolic), then continue to release until the blood is going through completely normal again (diastolic). The two different pressure readings give indications about how healthy your circulatory system is. 120/80 is the normal reading, although lately doctors have been thinking that being under that number is healthier.

High blood pressure means too much stress on your blood vessels. A lower pressure--especially a lower diastolic--is a good thing to have.

Answer 4

Here is an average BP 120/80 The 120 is the systolic number. It represents the pressure in the heart when it beats(contracts). The Diastolic number is 80 which represents the pressure in the heart when it is relaxed (in between beats). If your BP is to high it can cause damage to the heart or cause a stroke. If it it is too low, not enough blood is being pumped to vital organs, which in turn decreases the amount of oxygen getting to your tissues and cells. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

The systolic pressure is defined as the peak pressure in the arteries during the cardiac cycle; the diastolic pressure is the lowest pressure (at the resting phase of the cardiac cycle). The mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure are other important quantities. More information and remedies here:

Answer 6

the top number is the systolic pressure which is the pressure during a heart beat.the bottom number is the diastolic pressure which is the pressure with heart at rest,or rather between beats.

Answer 7

Systolic pressure, diastolic pressure.

Answer 8

top # = pressure of blood against artery wall when the heart is pumping

bottom # = pressure of blood against artery wall when the heart is not pumping (rest between pumps)