Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing through the arteries as the heart pumps blood throughout the body. Blood pressure is variable within an individual depending on many factors. It also varies across the lifespan of an individual. Although environmental factors have a major influence on blood pressure level, there are significant genetic and heritable components. A number of theories exist as to why humans are vulnerable to elevated blood pressure. Biological anthropologists often use the life-course perspective, or life-history approach, as well as “natural experiments” to explore relationships between biocultural influences and blood pressure. A biocultural approach recognizes both human biological variation and the role of social and cultural forces.