1. Blood Pressure

2. Blood Pressure
To reach your hands and feet, blood has to leave your heart (Left Ventricle) under very high pressure.

3. Blood Pressure The aorta has the highest pressure. (100mm Hg)
As the blood gets farther away and the blood vessels get smaller, the pressure decreases.
The capillaries have a much lower blood pressure. (35mm Hg)
The lowest pressure is in the Vena Cava. (2 mm Hg)

4. Blood Pressure

5. Blood Pressure is a ratio
Highest
Pressure
= when the ventricles = contract
SYSTOLIC
Lowest
Pressure
= when the ventricles =
relax
DIASTOLIC

6. Blood Pressure

7. Measured with a sphygmomanometer
Blood Pressure
Measured with a sphygmomanometer

8. How does the sphygmomanometer work?
It’s an inflatable cuff that cuts off the circulation in your arm
When the pressure drops, you can HEAR blood forcing through the artery with a stethoscope (Systolic)
When you HEAR NOTHING, it means blood is flowing easily with no resistance in the arteries. (Diastolic)

9. Blood Pressure

10. Normal blood pressure of teenager
Ranges between 120/70 and 115/75

11. What can affect your blood pressure?
Volume of blood
Heart Rate
Diameter of arteries
Loss of elasticity of arteries
Viscosity of blood

12. High Blood Pressure = Hypertension
Increases risk of heart failure and cerebral hemorrhage or stroke

13. Smoking & Hypertension
Smoking causes high blood pressure
Thickens blood
Speeds up the heart
Constricts the blood vessels
Over time, causes loss of elasticity of arteries

14. Stress & Hypertension Stress causes high blood pressure
Stimulates adrenal gland which speed up the heart rate
Constricts blood vessels