1. BLOOD PRESSURE

2. BLOOD PRESSURE • This is the pressure of the blood flowing through the arteries caused by the pumping heart • If you do things that make your heart beat faster or cause your arteries to become narrower your blood pressure will RISE

3. MEASURING BLOOD PRESSURE • Blood pressure is measured with an instrument called a sphygmomanometer (an inflatable cuff) and a stethoscope • It measures the blood pressure when the heart contracts and when it relaxes • The cuff is inflated so it stops the blood flow, then gradually it is deflated until the blood can just be heard spurting through the artery, this is equal to the maximum pressure created by the heart called the SYSTOLIC PRESSURE • The cuff is then allowed to deflate until the blood is heard flowing through the artery constantly. This is the lowest pressure the blood falls to between beats and is called the DIASTOLIC PRESSURE

4. MEASURING BLOOD PRESSURE • The systolic measurement is put as a fraction over the diastolic measurement to give a figure for your blood pressure • A healthy young persons blood pressure is about 120/80mmHg • mmHg stands for millimetre of mercury it is the equivalent of 0.13kPa (kilopascal)

5. TAKING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE INFLATABLE CUFF HAND PUMP PRESSURE GAUGE In pairs find out your blood pressure using this equipment STEHOSCOPE

6. FACTORS AFFECTING BLOOD PRESSURE • Some people suffer from high blood pressure which can be very dangerous. It is usually due to life style so things such as: • Over eating (weight and diet) • Lack of exercise • Smoking • Drinking excess alcohol • Stress All contribute to high blood pressure

7. The effects of high or low blood pressure • If your blood pressure becomes to high it may cause: • Strokes (burst blood vessels in the brain) • Brain damage • Burst blood vessels • Kidney damage • If your blood pressure becomes to low it may cause: • Faintness • Dizziness • Poor circulation