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Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure. Definition of Blood Pressure. The measurement of the force of blood against the artery walls The force comes from the pumping of the heart If arteries are hardened or narrowed, this force might be increased to pump the blood throughout the body. Measurement.

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Blood Pressure

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  1. Blood Pressure

  2. Definition of Blood Pressure • The measurement of the force of blood against the artery walls • The force comes from the pumping of the heart • If arteries are hardened or narrowed, this force might be increased to pump the blood throughout the body.

  3. Measurement • Measurement is done by listening for two sounds with a stethoscope-the first sound and the change in sound/or in some instances the last sound • The first sound is called the systolic blood pressure-it measures the pressure in an artery when the heart is contracting. • The change sound/or last sound heard is the diastolic blood pressure –it measures the pressure in an artery when the heart relaxed between contractions

  4. Units of Measurement • The units of measurement are millimeters of mercury • The top number/systolic is charted first, then the diastolic as in systolic/diastolic • 120/80 is an example of a blood pressure and this would be in millimeters of mercury or mm Hg

  5. Normal range of B/P = 90-100/60 – 140/90 Someone whose BP is < 90-100/60 is said to be hypotensive Hypotension may have symptoms of dizziness, light headedness, might faint No presence of signs and symptoms Contributing factors include: medications, level of physical fitness-example someone who is extremely fit might be hypotensive but this is normal for them Illness Injury Blood Pressure Values

  6. Someone with a BP greater than 140/90 is said to be hypertensive Hypertensive is called the silent killer because there are often no symptoms. Some people might expereince headache, pressure in the head , ringing in the ears general feeling of malaise Continued elevation over time may result in a Cerebral Vascular Accident (stroke) Contributing factors may include: Overweight, emotional upset, Family history, high salt diet, pain , illness medications. Hypertension

  7. Instruments necessary to complete procedure • Blood pressure cuff/sphygmomanometer • This must fit the arm properly , the width of the cuff should approximately equal the width of the upper arm • The gauge should be calibrated and the needle should be on 0 • A stethoscope

  8. Person should be comfortably seated or lying down Should have rested for 10-15 minutes prior to the reading Arms that are paralyzed, injured, have an IV or shunt should not be used Excessive air should be squeezed out of the cuff Cuff should fit snugly on upper arm Valve should be closed but easily able to open Procedure:

  9. Technique for obtaining the pressure • Find the radial pulse. Pump the cuff till pulse no longer palpated. Then pump 30 mm Hg higher. Place the diaphragm of stethoscope on brachial artery about ½ -1” above the elbow. Release the valve and listen for the two measurements –slowly deflating the cuff. If reading is uncertain wait 30 seconds to one minute before re-measuring

  10. 180/100 120/80 • Record the reading and report any abnormalities • If the B/P reading is outside of the normal limits retake it before reporting the value to a supervisor to be certain of accuracy. 80/30 140/90

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