Blood is able to go round the body through hollow “tube like” structures -------- called blood

vessels ; arteries (that takes blood from the heart) and veins (that takes blood back to the
heart). blood needs a force to be pushed around.

What is blood pressure? Blood pressure is the force of blood moving through your arteries as it
circulates the body. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of
your body. Blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day, but it can cause health
problems if it stays high for a long time. High blood pressure is also called hypertension. High
blood pressure is a common disease in which blood flows through blood vessels (arteries) at
higher than normal pressures.

Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings: what do the

numbers mean?

The only way to know (diagnose) if you have high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) is to have your

blood pressure tested. Understanding your blood pressure numbers is key to controlling high blood

pressure.