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Circulatory Physiology
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Concept 2: Understanding Blood Pressure
Understanding Blood Pressure

When we measure blood pressure, we are actually measuring the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure separately. This is why you always see blood pressure reported as two numbers, one "over" the other. For example:

In a blood pressure reading of 110/80,

110 = systolic pressure

80 = diastolic pressure

The numbers refer to the number of millimeters the pressure will raise a column of mercury. The blood pressure of teenagers is frequently in the range of 120/70.

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