Blood Pressure Explained: Changing WHO Norms, Modern Medicine, Ayurveda, and the Role of AI
Blood pressure (BP) is one of the most commonly measured health parameters today, yet its meaning, interpretation, and even the definition of “normal” have changed significantly over time . Modern medicine, global health bodies like the WHO, ancient Ayurveda, and now Artificial Intelligence (AI) all approach blood pressure from different—but increasingly complementary—angles. Understanding these perspectives together gives a clearer picture of why blood pressure matters and how it should be managed holistically. Blood Pressure in Modern Medicine In modern medicine, blood pressure is defined as the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of arteries . It is expressed using two numbers: Systolic BP – pressure when the heart contracts Diastolic BP – pressure when the heart relaxes It is written as systolic/diastolic (for example, 120/80 mmHg). Persistently high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and premature dea...