Blood pressure^* is measured with two numbers:

• The systolic pressure is the first (larger) number. It is the pressure on the blood as the heart contracts^* and pushes blood through the body.
• The diastolic pressure is the second (smaller) number. It is the pressure on the blood as the heart expands^* to draw in more blood.

High blood pressure (called hypertension) can damage the body in many different ways. Although people are more likely to develop high blood pressure as they get older, people of any age can be hypertensive. People who are overweight and do not exercise are especially likely to develop this condition.

Everyone should have regular blood pressure checks to make sure it is within acceptable limits.