Unit – Measuring and Recording Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure What is it? The measurement of the pressure that the blood exerts on the walls of the arteries when the heart is contracting and pushing blood into the arteries

Blood Pressure Reading Systolic Pressure that occurs in the walls of the arteries when the heart is contracting and pushing blood into the arteries

Blood Pressure Reading Diastolic Constant pressure that is present in the walls of the arteries when the heart is at rest or between contractions

Average Readings Systolic120 mm Hg mm Hg Diastolic80 mm Hg mm Hg

Pulse Pressure The difference between systolic and diastolic pressure Important indicator of health and tone of arterial walls Normal range of adults – mm Hg

Hypertension Indicated when the systolic pressure is greater than 140 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure is greater than 90 mm Hg 140/90

Hypotension Indicated when the systolic pressure is less than 100 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure is less than 60 mm Hg 100/60

Causes of Hypotension Heart Failure Dehydration Depression Severe Burns Hemorrhage Shock

Orthostatic (postural) hypotension A sudden drop in both systolic and diastolic pressure when an individual moves from a lying to a sitting or standing position. Inability of blood vessels to compensate quickly to the change in position

Factors that can increase blood pressure  Excitement  Anxiety  Nervous Tension  Eating  Stimulant Drugs  Exercise  Smoking

Factors that can decrease or lower blood pressure  Rest or sleep  Depressant drugs  Shock  Excessive blood loss  Fasting

OSHA discourages the use of mercury sphygmomanometers Can cause a mercury spill and contamination

Why use the correct size sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff)? Cuffs that are too wide or too narrow give inaccurate readings