Blood pressure is affected by external and internal variables. Internal variables such as age, gender and heredity cannot be changed. External variables such as exercise, stress reduction and a healthy diet can significantly improve blood pressure. Regular exercise can reduce blood pressure and help manage weight and stress. Unmanaged external factors can cause hypertension which can lead to death. In the average human, the heart beats sixty to seventy times per minute. Every time the heart beats, it pumps blood. Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of the body in vessels called arteries. The force of blood pushing against the artery walls is called blood pressure. Blood pressure is highest when the heart is beating and pumping blood. This is systolic blood pressure (SBP). When the heart is at rest, between beats, it is at its lowest. This is diastolic blood pressure (DBP). SBP is always on top or first, and DBP is always on the bottom or second. Blood pressure changes throughout the day, but is lowest when a person is sleeping and increases when they wake up and become active. High blood pressure is known as hypertension. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). A typical, healthy blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg and lower. It reads “120 out of 80”. The measurement is painless and carried out with a simple test. A blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope are used to measure blood pressure. The blood pressure cuff, also called a blood pressure monitor, consists of a cuff with an inflatable bladder, a rubber bulb with a valve used to inflate and deflate the cuff, and a pressure gauge. First, the cuff is wrapped securely around your upper arm. The cuff is then inflated rapidly until the pulse in the upper arm...... middle of paper...... strengthens the heart. Because the heart is a muscle, training increases its use, making it stronger. A stronger heart pumps blood around the body more easily, which improves blood pressure. Physical activity not only helps control blood pressure, but also helps manage weight and stress. A sedentary lifestyle is a huge risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and heart disease. Those who do not engage in regular physical activity have a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of developing hypertension. All of these effects cause a person's blood pressure to rise. In conclusion, a person's blood pressure, to some extent, is determined by the individual. This is something that people actually have some control over. Choices made in the present can affect the future. Exercise is a simple lifestyle change that can improve everyone's quality of life.