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Blood Pressure. The measurement of the pressure that the blood exerts on the walls of the arteries during the various stages of activity in the heart Blood pressure is read in millimeters (mm) of mercury (hg) on an instrument know as a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff).
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The measurement of the pressure that the blood exerts on the walls of the arteries during the various stages of activity in the heart • Blood pressure is read in millimeters (mm) of mercury (hg) on an instrument know as a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) What is Blood Pressure ?
The measurement of the pressure that occurs in the walls of the arteries when the left ventricle of the heart is contracting and pushing blood into the arteries What is Systolic Pressure ?
Constant pressure that is present in the walls of the arteries when the heart is at rest or between contractions What is Diastolic Pressure ?
Average Reading is 120 • Normal range is 100 – 140 Systolic Pressure
Average reading is 80 • Normal range is 60 – 90 Diastolic Pressure
High Blood Pressure indicated by • Systolic pressure greater than 140 • Diastolic pressure greater than 90 Hypertension
Stress • Anxiety • Obesity • High Salt Intake • Aging • Kidney Disease • Thyroid Deficiency • Arteriosclerosis • Can result in Stroke • Kidney Disease • Heart Disease Causes of Hypertension
Excitement, anxiety, nervous tension • Stimulant Drugs • Exercising and Eating • Smoking Factors That Increase Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure indicated by • Systolic pressure less that 100 • Diastolic pressure less than 60 Hypotension
Rest or sleep • Depressant Drugs • Shock • Excessive Blood Loss • Fasting (not eating) Factors that Decrease Blood Pressure
A sudden drop in both systolic and diastolic pressure when an individual moves from a lying position to a sitting or standing position • Caused by the inability of the blood vessels to compensate quickly to the change in position • Individual feels lightheaded, dizzy, and may have blurred vision for a few seconds until the blood vessels compensate and more blood is pushed into the brain Orthostatic Hypotension Also called Postural Hypotension
Force of the heartbeat • Resistance of the arterial system • Elasticity of the arteries • Volume of the blood in the arteries Various Factors That Influence Blood Pressure Readings
OSHA discourages the use of mercury sphygmomanometers because mercury spills and contamination can occur OSHA and Mercury Sphygmomanometers
Systolic pressure is recorded, then a slash line is drawn, and Diastolic pressure is recorded as shown below: 138 / 78 How to Record Blood Pressure Readings
Cuffs that are too wide or too narrow give incorrect readings Cuff Size
Patient should sit quietly for 5 minutes before • Correct size cuff • The patient should be seated or lying comfortably with the forearm on a flat surface • The area of the arm covered by the cuff should be at heart level How to get a correct blood pressure reading
The area should be free of constrictive clothing • The lower edge of the cuff should be 1 to 1 ½ inches above the antecubital fossa (bend of the elbow) • The diaphragm of the stethoscope should be directly over the brachial artery Blood Pressure Reading cont.