blood pressure

the pressure of the blood on the HEART and BLOOD VESSEL in the system of circulation. Also, the pressure that has to be applied to an ARTERY to stop the PULSE beyond the pressure point. Blood pressure peaks at a heart beat ( SYSTOLE ) and falls in between ( DIASTOLE ). The systolic pressure in young adults is equivalent to approximately 120 mm mercury (and 70 mm in diastole). The pressure also depends on the hardness and thickness of vessel walls, and blood pressure tends to increase with age as arteries thicken and harden. A temporary rise in blood pressure may be precipitated by exposure to cold; a permanent rise by kidney disease and other disorders. A lower blood pressure can be induced by a hot bath or caused by exhaustion. The instrument used to measure blood pressure is the SPHYGMOMANOMETER .