What is the standard unit for measuring blood pressure?

The standard unit for measuring blood pressure is the millimeter of mercury (mmHg). This measurement originated from the use of mercury in manometers, which were used to measure blood pressure by observing the height of a mercury column that results from the pressure exerted by the blood within the arteries. Blood pressure readings are typically presented in two values: systolic and diastolic pressure, both expressed in mmHg.

Using millimeters of mercury as a unit provides a consistent and precise method to quantify the pressure exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels. This standard is widely accepted in clinical practice and allows for effective communication of patient blood pressure levels among healthcare providers. Other units, such as pascal, though used in various scientific contexts, are not standard for blood pressure measurements in clinical settings. The other options like kilogram and pound are units of mass and are not relevant to pressure measurement at all.