For use of people ages 18 and older. Normal blood pressure is approximately 120 / 80 mm Hg medical action may be taken if higher.

Systolic is the blood pressure when the heart is contracting. It is specifically the maximum arterial pressure during contraction of the left ventricle of the heart. The time at which ventricular contraction occurs is called systole. In a blood pressure reading, the systolic pressure is usually the first number recorded.

The diastolic pressure is the minimum arterial pressure during relaxation and dilatation of the ventricles of the heart when the ventricles fill with blood. In a blood pressure reading this would be the last number.