The pulse is the number of heartbeats per minute.

Measuring the pulse can give very important information about the health of a person. Any deviation from normal heart rate can indicate a medical condition. Fast pulse may signal the presence of an infection or dehydration. In emergency situations, the pulse rate can help determine if the patient's heart is pumping. The pulse measurement has other uses as well. During exercise or immediately after exercise, the pulse rate can give information about the fitness level and the health of a person.

normal values for resting heart rate:

newborn infants; 100 to 160 beats per minute
children 1 to 10 years; 70 to 120 beats per minute
children over 10 and adults; 60 to 100 beats per minute
well-trained athletes; 40 to 60 beats per minute

Resting heart rates that are consistently high (tachycardia) may indicate a problem, and you should consult a health care provider. Discuss resting heart rates that are below the normal values (bradycardia) with a health care provider.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure changes constantly and fluctuates from day to day and minute to minute according to the bodies needs. When we are exercising or angry your blood pressure will rise, but when you are relaxing and sleeping your blood pressure decreases.

Blood pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure). It's measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). High blood pressure (or hypertension) is defined in an adult as a blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure. High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and stroke, especially when it's present with other risk factors. High blood pressure can occur in children or adults, but it's more common among people over age 35. It's particularly prevalent in African Americans, middle-aged and elderly people, obese people, heavy drinkers and women who are taking birth control pills. It may run in families, but many people with a strong family history of high blood pressure never have it. People with diabetes mellitus, gout or kidney disease are also more likely to have high blood pressure.

Note : There is no universally accepted definition of hypotension ( low blood pressure ), but a systolic pressure below 99mm Hg is usually regarded as hypotension.

Look up the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) on www.who.dk or www.who.int/en for more interesting information.

WHO Blood Pressure Classification.