key term - Blood pressure

Definition

Blood pressure is the force that circulating blood exerts against the walls of blood vessels. It is a critical parameter in ensuring that blood can flow through arteries and veins to deliver oxygen and nutrients to various parts of the body.

Related terms

Systolic Pressure:

The peak pressure in the arteries, which occurs near the beginning of the cardiac cycle when the ventricles are contracting.

Diastolic Pressure:

The minimum pressure in the arteries, which occurs near the end of the cardiac cycle when the ventricles are filled with blood.

Hypertension:

A condition characterized by consistently high arterial blood pressure, which can significantly risk cardiovascular health