The pressure with which blood flows in the blood vessels is called Blood Pressure or BP. BP is measured using a special device called Sphygmomanometer. When your heart beats, it pumps blood round your body to give it the energy and oxygen it needs. As the blood moves, it pushes against the sides of the blood vessels. The strength of this pushing is your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your arteries (and your heart) and this may lead to heart attacks and strokes.
What Causes High Blood Pressure? The exact causes of high blood pressure are not known, but several factors and conditions may play a role in its development, including: Smoking Being overweight or obese Lack of physical activity Too much salt in the diet Too much alcohol consumption (more than 1 to 2 drinks per day) Stress Older age Genetics Family history of high blood pressure Chronic kidney disease Adrenal and thyroid disorders
