Blood pressure is the force of the blood that pushes against the wall of blood vessels. When taking the blood pressure, you are measuring the force of the blood flowing through the arteries. This force is caused by the heart pumping blood into the arteries. It is a force that makes the blood circulate to all parts of the body.

The amount of pressure in the arteries depends on two factors: the heart rate, and how easily blood flows through the blood vessels.

Systolic Pressure - the force of the blood pushing against the walls of large arteries when the heart is contracting. This is the higher reading and is listed first.

Diastolic Pressure - the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries when the heart is resting. This is the lower reading and listed below the systolic reading.