What does the abbreviation 'BP' stand for in medical terminology?

The abbreviation 'BP' stands for Blood Pressure in medical terminology. Blood pressure is a critical vital sign that measures the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, typically expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). It is documented with two numbers: systolic pressure (the pressure during heartbeats) over diastolic pressure (the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats). Monitoring blood pressure is essential for assessing an individual's cardiovascular health and can help diagnose conditions such as hypertension or other heart-related issues.

Understanding this abbreviation is vital for healthcare professionals, as it relates directly to patient assessment and management strategies focused on cardiovascular health.