Basic Health Care Series

Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure of circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. When used without further specification, "blood pressure" usually refers to the arterial pressure in the systemic circulation. Blood pressure is usually expressed in terms of the systolic (maximum during one heart beat) pressure over diastolic (minimum in between two heart beats) pressure and is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), above the surrounding atmospheric pressure (considered to be zero for convenience). High blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure at rest that averages 140 mm Hg or more, a diastolic pressure at rest that averages 90 mm Hg or more, or both. However, the higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk of complications--even within the normal blood pressure range--so these limits are somewhat arbitrary. In most young people with high blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic pressures are high. In contrast, many older people with high blood pressure have high systolic pressure (140 mm Hg or more) with normal or low diastolic pressure (less than 90 mm Hg). This disorder is called isolated systolic hypertension. This book serves as a reference to many of the viable alternative approaches available today. Murray, a brilliant scientific mind, has put together a wonderful compilation of natural and simple alternatives to traditional medicines that serve as a practical guide in reducing the risk of heart attacks and high blood pressure.