Blood Pressure Normal Range Explained

The normal range for blood pressure is two numbers, the systolic and diastolic, and the numbers of these raise and lower. It is possible to have low blood pressure, just like it is to have high blood pressure; however high blood pressure will need medication or in some cases can be controlled with diet.
The systolic blood pressure is the first number listed when the blood pressure is being taken, such as 120/80. This is the pressure when the heart is contracting, which is the maximum arterial blood during the contraction of the left ventricle of the heart. When this occurs it is called systole, hence the word systolic pressure. This is also when heart murmurs can be detected, between the first and second heart sounds. Systolic comes from the Greek word systole, which means drawing together or a contraction.