Blood
pressure is, quite literally, the pressure of blood
as it flows through arteries
in the body. Although a certain minimum blood pressure is
required for normal function, usually low blood pressure is
associated with good health and longevity. Blood pressure
that is above the normal range can be associated with various
health risks including heart attack and stroke.
Blood pressure can be influenced by a variety
of factors, which can be transient or long-term. Stress, excitement
and physical exertion typically raise blood pressure, as blood
is pumped faster through the body; blood pressure may fall
during subsequent relaxation. Smoking cigarettes or drinking
coffee may raise blood pressure for as long as the drug (nicotine
or caffeine) is in the body. Obesity, high levels of cholesterol,
and diabetes all tend to raise blood pressure. Atherosclerosis,
a buildup of cholesterol
and calcium deposits
inside the artery, narrows the passageways through which blood
can flow, increasing the pressure and possibly reducing the
volume of blood that can pass through the artery.
by Catherine E. Myers. Copyright © 2006 Memory Loss and the Brain
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