BLOOD PRESSURE

MEASUREMENT OF THE PRESSURE THAT THE BLOOD EXERTS ON THE WALLS OF THE ARTERIES DURING THE VARIOUS STAGES OF HEART ACTIVITY. –AS THE HEART CONTRACTS OR RELAXES

SYSTOLIC PRESSURE PRESSURE THAT OCCURS IN WALLS OF ARTERIES WHEN THE HEART IS CONTRACTING AND PUSHING BLOOD INTO ARTERIES

DIASTOLIC PRESSURE CONSTANT PRESSURE THAT IS IN THE WALLS OF THE ARTERIES WHEN THE HEART IS AT REST OR BETWEEN CONTRACTIONS.

SYSTOLIC PRESSURE NORMAL RANGE –100 TO 140 MM MERCURY

DIASTOLIC PRESSURE NORMAL RANGE –60 TO 90 MM MERCURY

Factors influencing Blood Pressure readings Force of the Heartbeat Resistance of the arterial system Elasticity of the arteries Volume of blood in the arteries

Increase Blood Pressure Excitement, anxiety, nervous tension Stimulant drugs Exercise and eating

Decrease Blood Pressure Rest and sleep Depressant drugs Excessive loss of blood

Factors that affect B/P readings Lying down (usually lower B/P) Sitting position Standing position (usually higher B/P)

Recording B/P Systolic reading is top number – first number heard Diastolic is bottom number – last number heard Example –120/80

Types of sphygmomanometers Mercury Aneroid

Mercury sphygmomanometer contains a long column of mercury each line on gauge represents 2 mm of mercury place on a flat level surface or mounted on the wall level of mercury should be at 0

Aneroid sphygmomanometer Round gauge Each line on gauge represents 2 mm of mercury pressure

Factors to follow for accurate readings American Heart Association recommendations –Patient should sit quietly for at least 5 minutes before the B/P is taken –Two separate readings should be taken and averaged –Minimum wait of 30 seconds between readings

PROPER SIZE B/P CUFFS SHOULD BE THE SAME DIAMETER AS OF THE PATIENTS ARM SMALL CUFFS RESULTS IN FALSELY HIGH READINGS LARGE CUFF MAY CAUSE FALSELY LOW READINGS