What is a normal blood pressure reading

Circulation is similar to a highly sophisticated form of plumbing — blood flows through arteries like water flows through a garden hose pipe. Blood flows through the body because of a difference in pressure. Blood pressure is highest at the start of its journey from the heart — when it enters the aorta — and it is lowest at the end of its journey along smaller branches of arteries. That pressure difference is what causes blood to flow. Arteries affect blood pressure in a similar way to the physical properties of a garden hose pipe, affecting water pressure. Constricting the pipe increases pressure at the point of constriction. Without the elastic nature of the artery walls, for example, the pressure of the blood would fall away more quickly during pumping from the heart. While the heart creates the maximum pressure, the properties of the arteries maintain this pressure, allowing blood to flow throughout the body. Blood pressure is the force that moves blood through the circulatory system. It is an important force because it allows the blood, which contains oxygen and nutrients, to travel around the body to nourish tissues and organs. Blood also carries white blood cells and antibodies, which the body needs for immunity processes, and hormones such as insulin. It also carries the clotting platelets that prevent blood loss following injury. Blood also collects the toxic waste products of metabolism, including carbon dioxide inhaled from daily breathing, and delivers it to the liver and kidneys for excretion. The heart helps create blood pressure by forcing out blood when it contracts with every heartbeat. Blood pressure, however, is not solely created by a pumping heart.