Blood Pressure

hypertension

:blood pressure elevated above the upper limits of normal :excessive pressure in blood vessels and organs :systolic pressure- is 139 mm Hg or higher :diastolic pressure is 89 mm Hg or higher severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, stroke

hypotension

:systolic pressure <90/diastolic pressure <60mm Hg or pressure 20-30 mm Hg lower than usual :not enough blood getting to vital organs

vasodilation

decrease resistance to flow

auscultatory gap

disappearance of the sound during the latter part of phase I and during phase II may be as much as 40mm Hg can lead to seriously inaccurate reading

elasticity of blood vessels

elastic tissue allowing for stretching and distending during ventricular contraction ( systole) and recoil to original size during ventricular relaxation ( diastole)

cardiac output

the volume of blood pumped out of the heart in one minute

viscosity

thickness of the blood

physiology of blood pressure

vasomotor changes viscosity elasticity of blood vessels total blood volume

korotkoff sounds

...

normal blood pressure for adults 18+

120/80 mm Hg

The blood pressure falls as the

Heart relaxes( diastole)

systolic pressure

the force exerted during ventricle contraction, maximum pressure

diastolic pressure

the force exerted during ventricle relaxation, lowest pressure

Blood pressure rises as what contracts

Ventricle (systole)

factors contributing to BP variations

age/gender emotional state genetics/race medication/drugs circadian rhythm exercise weight body position

sites for measuring blood pressure

brachial- upper arm popliteal- thigh

hypotension causes

fainting, dizziness, blurred vision, lack of energy, pallor, confusion, chest pain, increased HR, lightheadedness, weakness,

phase I

first clear tapping (systolic)

decreased elasticity of blood vessels

greater resistance to blood flow, decreased blood flow and elevated pressure; normal part of aging

vasocontriction

increase resistance to flow

phase V

last sound heard (diastolic)

phase III

loud distinct

pulse pressure

the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures

blood pressure

the force exerted by the blood against arterial walls

phase IV

muffled, soft, blowing

peripheral vascular resistance

opposition to blood flow due to friction generated as blood slides along the vessel walls

assessment of BP

palpation ausculation sphymomanmeter and stethoscope electronic monitor

phase II

swishing, muffled