BLOOD PRESSURE

Blood Pressure  Definition:  The measurement of the force exerted by the heart against the arterial walls when the heart contracts and relaxes. 1. Force comes from the pumping of the heart 2. If arteries are hardened or narrowed, this force might be increased to pump the blood throughout the body

How do we measure  Done by listening for two sounds with a stethoscope  First: sound = systolic  Second: change in sound = diastolic

Units  Millimeters of mercury  Top number = systolic  Bottom number = diastolic  Systolic/diastolic  120/80 mm Hg

Blood Pressure Values  Hypotensive: less than 100/60 mm Hg  Dizziness, light-headedness, faint  No signs and symptoms  Factors: Rx, level of physical fitness, illness, injury  Hypertensive: greater than 140/90 mm Hg  Silent killer – no symptoms  Signs: headache, pressure in head, ringing in ears, general feeling of malaise  Continued increase – Cerebral Vascular Accident (stroke)  Factors: overweight, emotional upset, family history, high NaCl diet, pain, illness, Rx

AHA Recommendation  High blood pressure >140/90 mm Hg Blood Pressure (mm Hg) NormalPrehypertensionHypertension SystolicLess than DiastolicLess than

Blood Pressure Category Systolic mm Hg (upper #) Diastolic mm Hg (lower #) Normal less than 120andless than 80 Prehypertension120 – 139or80 – 89 High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage – 159or90 – 99 High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage or higheror100 or higher Hypertensive Crisis Hypertensive Crisis (Emergency care needed) Higher than 180orHigher than 110

Risk  High Blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease lead to ________________ and _______________.  Occurs in children or adults  Prevalent in AA, middle-aged, elderly, obese, heavy drinkers  Diabetes, gout or kidney disease more often