blood pressure The pressure of the blood within the arteries. Blood pressure is produced primarily by the contraction of the heart muscle. The traditional measurement of blood pressure is recorded by two numbers. The first number (the systolic pressure) is measured after the heart contracts, and it is the higher number. The second number (the diastolic pressure) is measured before the heart contracts, and it is the lower number. A blood pressure cuff is used to measure pressure. See also hypertension; hypotension; sphygmomanometer.

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