Cardiovascular Lab In this exercise, students will be introduced to the common methods of ▫Measuring blood pressure ▫Listening to the major heart sounds ▫Using a photoelectric pulse transducer to monitor pulse rate and pulse pressure while performing the Valsalva maneuver.

Introductory Notes Systolic Pressure: pressure exerted by the blood against the arterial walls during ventricular systole (normal ≈ 120 mmHg) Dicrotic Notch: due to the brief backflow of blood through the elastic arteries which closes the semilunar valves during ventricular diastole Diastolic Pressure: pressure exerted by the blood against the arterial walls during ventricular diastole (normal ≈ 80 mmHg)

Introductory Notes Pulse Pressure: difference between Systolic Pressure and Diastolic Pressure (SP - DP) (normal ≈ 40 mmHg: 120 mmHg - 80 mmHg) Mean arterial pressure (MAP) = “average” pressure within the arteries MAP = Diastolic Pressure + 1/3 (Pulse Pressure) The equation reflects the fact that the heart spends more time in diastole during the cardiac cycle; therefore, not merely an average between SP and DP. Ex: If BP is recorded as 120mmHg/80mmHg MAP=DP + 1/3 (SP – DP) MAP=80 + 1/3 (120 – 80) MAP=80 + 1/3 (40) MAP= MAP=93.33 mmHg

Experimental Procedures Pulse Rate: Use your second and third fingers to palpate the radial artery of your laboratory partner. Repeat the same procedure while palpating the carotid artery. Determine the radial pulse rate of your laboratory partner under the following conditions: 1) After your partner has rested 5 minutes in a supine position. 2) Immediately after your partner assumes a sitting position. 3) Immediately after your partner assumes a standing position.

Introductory Notes Heart Sounds ▫1st heart sound: closure of AV valves ▫2nd heart sound: closure of SL valves Murmur: an abnormal heart sound associated with valvular insufficiency, and/or narrowing of the valvular opening

Auscultation of Heart Sounds

Experimental Procedures Auscultation of Heart Sounds: Clean the earpieces of the stethoscope with an alcohol swab before and after use. 1) Distinguish between the two major heart sounds (“lubb-dupp”). 2) Listen for sounds created by all four valves and compare each. 3) Measure the radial pulse and apical pulse simultaneously, to determine if a “pulse deficit” exists.

Measurement of Blood Pressure ©2015 Health Media Network

Experimental Procedures Measurement of Blood Pressure: Obtain a sphygmomanometer and test to make sure the bulb, valve, and gauge are all functioning properly. Determine the blood pressure of your subject under the following conditions: 1)After your partner has rested 2 minutes in a sitting position. 2)After your partner has rested 2 minutes in a supine position. 3)After your partner has rested 2 minutes in a standing position. 4) Immediately after your partner has exercised 5 minutes and assumes a sitting position. From the “sitting position” data above, calculate the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and record your finding.

Experimental Procedures Plethysmography: study of blood volume change within an organ/tissue by using volume displacement techniques Connect the pulse transducer to Channel 1 on the BioPac acquisition box and click on the “Pulse” folder on your desktop. Record their pulse for 10 seconds and calculate the resting pulse rate. With your partner standing, record their pulse for 10 seconds and calculate the pulse rate. Compare the pulse rates and pulse recording amplitudes of the “sitting” subject with the “standing” subject. While your partner is seated with their hand resting on the lab table, record their pulse while they perform the Valsalva maneuver.