Why is it important to monitor blood presure?

Question

What does 120/80 mean?
Should a younger person worry about blood presure?

Answer 1

The 120 is the Systolic BP when the heart is contracting thus pushing out blood to the body, and the 80 is the diastolic pressure when the heart is resting and filling with blood.

High blood pressure can injure blood vessels, leading to cholesterol deposition which leads to narrowing of the vessel, until there is complete occlusion, in the brain vessels, this is known as a stroke, in the heart vessels, this is known as a heart attack. This is just an example of high blood pressure, but the most serious.

Answer 2

I don't know what you mean by younger. Everyone should have their BP checked occasionally. If you have never had any BP problems and you are in your 20s, you probably don't need to check it real regularly. But if you are in your 20s with 120/80, then it bears watching. 120/80 is NOT high blood pressure. I went on BP meds at about 140/95, but I waited longer than I should have. High BP will cause enlargement of the heart and aorta. It is called the silent killer because the outward signs are often non-existent and it will kill you.