05/01/2026
Imagine you’re in a polyclinic.
You take your blood pressure, and the nurse says, “120 over 80.”
Do you know what these numbers mean?
The top number, 120, is the pressure in your arteries when your heart pumps.
The bottom number, 80, is when your heart rests between beats.
Now, the gap between them, 120 minus 80, is called pulse pressure.
Pulse pressure matters because if it becomes too big, it can be a sign your blood vessels are getting stiffer as you age, and your heart may be working harder.
So next time you hear 120 over 80, remember: top is pumping, bottom is resting, and the gap gives extra clues.
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