The pressure of the blood in the circulatory system, often measured for diagnosis since it is closely related to the force and rate of the heartbeat and the diameter and elasticity of the arterial walls.

1. BLOOD PRESSURE

2. DEFINITION
The pressure of the blood in the
circulatory system, often measured
for diagnosis since it is closely
related to the force and rate of the
heartbeat and the diameter and
elasticity of the arterial walls.

3. DEFINITION
When your heart beats, it pumps
blood round your body to give it the
energy and oxygen it needs. As the
blood moves, it pushes against the
sides of the blood vessels. The
strength of this pushing is your
blood pressure.

4. SYSTOLIC
 Systolic blood pressure,
measures the pressure in
your blood vessels when
your heart beats.

5. SYSTOLIC
In a blood pressure reading, the
systolic pressure is typically the
first number recorded. For
example, with a blood pressure of
120/80 ("120 over 80"), the systolic
pressure is 120. By "120" is meant
120 mm Hg (millimeters of
mercury).

6. DIASTOLIC
Diastolic blood pressure,
measures the pressure in
your blood vessels when your
heart rests between beats.

7. DIASTOLIC
In a blood pressure reading, the
diastolic pressure is typically the
second number recorded. For
example, with a blood pressure of
120/80 ("120 over 80"), the
diastolic pressure is 80. By "80" is
meant 80 mm Hg (millimeters of
mercury).

9. Sphygmomanometers
 There are three types of sphygmomanometers
used to measure blood pressure: mercury, aneroid,
and digital.
 Reading blood pressure by auscultation is considered
the gold standard.

10. MERCURY

11. DIGITAL

12. ANEROID

13. POSITIONS
 Position: supine, seated, standing.
 In seated position, the subject's arm should be
flexed.
 The flexed elbow should be at the level of the heart.
 If the subject is anxious, wait a few minutes before
taking the pressure

14. PROCEDURE
 To begin blood pressure measurement, use a
properly sized blood pressure cuff.
 Wrap the cuff around the upper arm with the cuff's
lower edge one inch above the antecubital fossa.
 Lightly press the stethoscope's bell over the brachial
artery just below the cuff's edge.

15. PROCEDURE
 Rapidly inflate the cuff to 180mmHg. Release air
from the cuff at a moderate rate (3mm/sec).
 Listen with the stethoscope and simultaneously
observe the sphygmomanometer. The first knocking
sound is the subject's systolic pressure. When the
knocking sound disappears, that is the diastolic
pressure (such as 120/80).

16. PROCEDURE
 Record the pressure in both arms and note the
difference; also record the subject's position
(supine), which arm was used, and the cuff size
(small, standard or large adult cuff).
 If the subject's pressure is elevated, measure blood
pressure two additional times, waiting a few
minutes between measurements.
 A BLOOD PRESSURE OF 180/120mmHg OR MORE
REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION!