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Blood pressure kit with stethoscope. Blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure that blood exerts against the walls of the main arteries and is quoted in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Measurements are made when the heart is contracting (the systolic pressure) and during relaxation (the diastolic pressure); results are presented as the systolic over the diastolic pressure. A typical value for a normal, young adult might be 120/80 mmHg. Abnormally high blood pressure (hypertension) is a serious medical condition with a variety of underlying causes. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO/Dennis Potokar) === ===