what is blood pressure; what is high blood pressure and low blood pressure; what is the effect of both?

Question

i am in 7th grade and i really need this to be put as simply put as possible. no the least amount possible but just the less confusing way so it doesnt sound like a bunch of science language. The first person to answer it like i asked will get the best answer first!!! ]]/

Answer 1

The pressure of the blood against the walls of the blood vessels, especially the arteries. It is expressed in two figures, said to be one “over” the other: the systolic pressure, which is the pressure when the left ventricle of the heart contracts to push the blood through the body; and the diastolic pressure, which is the pressure when the ventricle relaxes and fills with blood. Blood pressure is affected by the strength of the heartbeat, the volume of blood in the body, the elasticity of the blood vessels, and the age and general health of the person.

High Blood Pressure is An abnormal elevation of systolic or diastolic arterial pressure. Systolic hypertension is generally related to emotional stress, sclerosis of the aorta and large arteries, or aortic insufficiency. Diastolic hypertension may result from obscure causes (essential), renal disease, or endocrine disorders.

In medicine, hypotension refers to an abnormally low blood pressure. This is best understood as a physiologic state, rather than a disease. It is often associated with shock, though not necessarily indicative of it. Hypotension is not to be confused with hypertension, which is high blood pressure, the opposite of hypotension.

Answer 2

Blood pressure is a measurement of the force applied to the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force and amount of blood pumped, and the size and flexibility of the arteries.

Hypertension is sustained elevation of resting systolic BP (≥ 140 mm Hg), diastolic BP (≥ 90 mm Hg), or both. Hypertension with no known cause (primary; formerly, essential hypertension) is most common. Hypertension with an identified cause (secondary hypertension) is usually due to a renal disorder. Usually, no symptoms develop unless hypertension is severe or long-standing. Diagnosis is by sphygmomanometry. Tests may be done to determine cause, assess damage, and identify other cardiovascular risk factors. Treatment involves lifestyle changes and drugs, including diuretics, β - blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and Ca channel blockers.

Low blood pressure, or hypotension, occurs when blood pressure during and after each heart beat is much lower than usual. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body do not get enough blood. Dizziness or lightheadedness can result.
Possible Complications of hypotension:
Injury from falls due to fainting.
Shock.

Answer 3

Blood pressure is the pressure that blood exerts on the vessels. The top number is the systolic blood pressure, or the peak blood pressure during cardiac contraction. The bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure, or the lowest blood pressure during cardiac contraction. High blood pressure is >120/80 and low blood pressure is <100/60. High blood pressure is called hypertension and can cause several health problems including kidney damage, enlargement of the heart, stroke, heart failure, and myocardial infarction (heart attack). Low blood pressure is called hypotension and can cause dizziness or fainting since blood cannot make it to the brain due to the low pressure. If a person already is diagnosed with hypertension, their blood pressure goal is <140/90, unless they have kidney disease, heart failure, or diabetes, in which case their blood pressure goal is <130/80.

Answer 4

I always used to have trouble with understanding this stuff too, but this article really breaks it down into layman's terms:
http://www.marketingwithcare.com/news/show2.php?uid=7&nid=9

Oops...I forgot about the high/low blood pressure, my bad.
Ok, if you read the article it explained how blood pressure is written like a fraction. Well normal blood pressure is: less than 120/less than 80 (BTW women are susposed to have lower blood pressure than men; I think that normal for women is like 112/70 or something like that).

High blood pressure is: 140 or higher/90 or higher

As for the effects of high and low blood pressure, low blood pressure can actually cause you to faint since not enough blood may be getting to your brain.

If a person suffers from high blood blood pressure it means that he or she may be more likely to have a heart attack or stroke sometime in their life.

Hope it helps

Answer 5

the normal bp is suppose to be like 120 over 80 give or take a few. in general hypertension which is high blood pressure is when it is over like 140 or more for the top number and like over 90 on the bottem. but that has to be more than one occasion it has to be like that for several dr visits or several checks. in general with these low parameters not much have to be done maybe some life style changes like smoking, weight loss exercise and so on. if it is like over 150/95 then most people I think get put on medicaion. some times it is really high and if it is high you are at risk for stroke. heart disease, heart attacks. headaches sometimes occur. and when your bp is low like 100 oer 50 or lower it is hypotension or low bp. in this you are at risk for orthostatic hypotension or like when you change position sitting to standing you may fall due to the drop of pressure, dizziness passing out kidney failure. to low or to high can couse serous problems and maybe even death.