Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries and veins and is generally indicated in mmHg. A distinction is made between systolic pressure as the maximum blood pressure in the vessel (peak pressure during the contraction phase of the heart chambers) and diastolic pressure as the minimum pressure (measurement of long-term loading of the vessels). Both values are needed in order to obtain detailed information about blood pressure.
To identify the average blood pressure in the vascular system the mean arterial blood pressure is indicated (MAP).
MAP = diast. blood pressure + (syst. blood pressure – diast. blood pressure) / 3
For further identification of the qualitiy and flexibility of the arteries the pulse pressure (PP) is to observe. The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure is an important indication for the elasticity of the aorta and all the other main arteries, which transport the blood from the heart to the organs.
PP = syst. blood pressure – diast. blood pressure
Arterial hypertension (high blood pressure) is of great significance in terms of health. It is an important risk factor in terms of vascular system disorders where diseases of the vessels supplying the heart and brain represent life-threatening secondary diseases. High blood pressure over an extended period is responsible for coronary disease and chronic heart failure and for the occurrence of chronic liver failure and peripheral blood circulation problems. Consequently, knowledge of the potential causes of hypertension is important.
| Classification | systolic | diastolic |
| Optimum | < 120 | < 80 |
| Normal | < 130 | < 85 |
| 'only just' normal | 130 - 139 | 85 - 89 |
| Slight hypertension (Degree of severity 1) | 140 - 159 | 90 - 99 |
| Moderate hypertension (Degree of severity 2) | 160 - 179 | 100 - 109 |
| Severe hypertension (Degree of severity 3) | > 180 | > 110 |
| Isolated systolic hypertension | > 140 | < 90 |
Table: Classification of blood pressure ranges in mmHg according to [AWMF 046]
Additionally the risk of heart and cycle diseases increases, when the pulse pressure exceeds a value of 75; espacially for people above 60 years, how the Framingham Heart Study shows [Franklin et al. 2001].
Please note the Overview of the ranges used in the GMON. If systolic and diastolic blood pressure fall into different categories the higher category should apply.
Blood pressure readings may be subject to fluctuations in the short-term.
Therefore: Only by checking blood pressure several times can hypertension be correctly diagnosed or ruled out.
Overview of the ranges used in the GMON
Options for treating hypertension without medication
Import from blood pressure gauge