Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure or tension exerted on the arterial walls as blood pulsates through them (principal vital sign) Systolic blood pressure (SBP) – pressure exerted on the arteries during the contraction phase of the heartbeat. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) – the resting pressure on the arteries as the heart relaxes between contractions.

Diastolic phase: heart relaxes, BP falls, heart fills with blood Systolic phase : heart contracts, BP rises, heart pumps blood out to the body

120 80 Reporting BP Unit of measurement: Millimeters of mercury (mmHg) “LUB” 120 80 “DUB”

Classification of BP for Adults Blood Pressure (cont.) Classification of BP for Adults Category Systolic (mmHg) Diastolic (mmHg) Hypotension < 90 <60 Normal 90 - 119 and 60 - 79 Prehypertension 120 - 139 or 80 - 89 Stage 1 Hypertension 140 – 159 Or 90 -99 Stage 2 Hypertension ≥ 160 or ≥ 100

Blood Pressure (cont.) Sites for Blood Pressure Assessment Brachial artery – taken on the upper arm; most common site. Radial artery – taken on the lower arm; possible site for infants or clients who have very large upper arms. Popliteal artery– taken on the thigh. Dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial – taken on the lower leg.

Blood Pressure (cont.) Equipment for Measuring Blood Pressure Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer, also called a BP cuff, or cuff. Sounds like: SFIG-moh-mə-NOM-i-ter

Blood Pressure (cont.) Equipment for Measuring Blood Pressure Mercury Types of Sphygmomanometers Mercury – has a calibrated glass tube containing mercury. Aneroid – has a calibrated dial with a needle that points to numbers on the face of the dial. Electronic – uses a digital display and usually includes the pulse rate. Mercury Aneroid Digital

Homework: What factors affect HR & BP? Heart Rate Blood Pressure

Scientific Investigation Inquiry Question: Variables: Independent Variable: What will be manipulated? Dependent Variable: What will be affected? Control: What will we compare our results to? OR What will remain constant?

Chapter 9