This document provides instructions for a lab on measuring blood pressure and heart rate. Students work in pairs or groups to: 1) Measure resting and post-exercise heart rates by counting pulses over 15 seconds and multiplying by 4. 2) Use an electronic blood pressure monitor to record blood pressure at rest and after exercise at the height of the wrist and head. 3) Use a stethoscope and manual blood pressure cuff to measure a partner's systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Readings are recorded before and after exercise.

1. BIO30S 4.8 Lab
Blood Pressure Research Lab
Work in partners or in small groups name:
date:
I. Heart Rate
Measure your heart rate by finding a pulse (radial, aortic, temporal, etc..) and count
the beats in 15 seconds. Then, multiply by 4 for beats per minute.
1. Measure your heart rate at rest (sitting down) and record:
2. Measure you heart rate at exercise (walk up a flight of stairs to the 2nd
floor) and begin taking heart rate immediately:
II. Blood Pressure using electronic blood pressure metre
This blood pressure metre fits over your wrist. Make sure it is snug.
1. Sit down. Measure your B.P. with the device at the height of your heart and
and record:
2. Measure your B.P with the device at the height of the top
of your head and record:
3. Measure your B.P. immediately after exercise (walk up the flight of
stairs or do push-ups or sit-ups, etc..) and record:
III. B.P. Using stethoscope and blood pressure cuff
1. Wrap the cuff snugly around your partner's bicep.
2. Make sure the plug on the metre is tight.
3. Find your partner's radial pulse and at the same time, pump up the
cuff until you cannot feel the pulse anymore. Then give it one more pump.
4. Place the stethoscope over forearm near the elbow. Very slowly
twist the cap on the meter to allow the pressure to release.
5. At the pressure reading when you hear the pulse start, tell your
partner this number for them to remember it. It is the S.P.
6. Releasing more pressure, when you do not hear the pulse anymore,
note this number and record it. It is the D.P.
Systolic Pressure:
Diastolic Pressure:
Questions: (answer on seperate sheet of paper)
1. Was your heart rate higher or lower after exercise? Why?
2. Was your electronic b.p. higher or lower after exercise? Why?
3. List any difficulties you had with the stethoscope and
blood pressure cuff.