Blood Pressure consists of Systolic and Diastolic readings and is usually written as two numbers Systolic / Diastolic e.g. 140/90 mmHg

• Systolic blood pressure (the first number) – indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when the heart beats.
• Diastolic blood pressure (the second number) – indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while the heart is resting between beats.
• Typically, more attention is given to systolic blood pressure as a major risk factor for CVD for people over 50.
• Either an elevated systolic or an elevated diastolic blood pressure reading may be used to make a diagnosis of high blood pressure.
• The risk of death from ischemic heart disease and stroke doubles with every 20 mm Hg systolic or 10 mm Hg diastolic increase among people from age 40 to 89.

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