a stethoscope Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of
Last updated: 3/16/2024
a stethoscope Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury denoted as mm Hg which refers to the amount of pressure needed to move a column of mercury over a short distance Although measurements are recorded in mm Hg modern day sphygmomanometers do not employ a column of mercury to measure pressure Typical blood pressure cuffs make use of an anaeroid gauge to take a blood pressure reading Blood pressure is measured by placing the sphygmomanometer around the brachium upper arm and inflating the cuff 20 30 mm Hg above the expected systolic pressure This is done to restrict blood flow into the brachial artery in the lower part of the arm The diaphragm of the stethoscope is placed over the brachial artery and the valve of the cuff is partially opened to deflate the cuff slowly Soft tapping sounds should be heard with the stethoscope These tapping sounds are referred to as the sounds of Korotkoff and are indicative of blood reentering the restricted artery The reading on the gauge at the point that the first tapping sounds are heard is recorded This measurement represents the maximal pressure in the artery and coincides with ventricular contraction systole therefore this reading is the systolic pressure As blood flow into the restricted artery returns to normalcy the tapping noises will fade away The point at which the sounds of Korotkoff can no longer be heard is recorded This measurement represents the lowest pressure in the artery and coincides with ventricular relaxation diastole therefore this reading is the diastolic pressure Blood pressure measurements are reported as systolic pressure diastolic pressure Normal blood pressure is represented by a systolic pressure 120 and a diastolic pressure 80 If either the systolic pressure or the diastolic pressure are persistently elevated then that could indicate prehypertension systolic 120 139 or diastolic 80 89 or hypertension systolic 139 or diastolic 89 Certain situations may cause short term deviations in blood pressure measurements For example moderate exercise will cause an immediate increase in blood pressure due to increased cardiac output Postural changes can also have short term effects on blood pressure For example moving from a reclining position to standing up will cause an immediate decrease in venous return to the heart which will immediately decrease cardiac output and blood pressure In these situations and under normal conditions however blood pressure will return to standard values within a few minutes Next History Bookmarks Window Help somheducation com MO Cedove phylogy to g Physiology virtual lab quiz assign 1 What is the name of the instrument used to measure blood pressure sphygmomanometer 11 4 When measuring blood pressure at which point do you hear the Trut sounds at Koro when defating the cuff and the artery in parall 035 electrocardiograph echocardiograph electrocardiograph 2 When measuring blood pressure the cuff is placed on what part of body brachium Afer a wes of moderate ce what happens to a blood pressure reading 6A blood pressure reading of 100rb would be considered tarsus antebrachium abdomen carpus 3 When measuring blood pressure the stethoscope is placed over what artery miliary artery brachial artery radial artery unar artery femoral artery Cysokagy 11 1 Aod pressure reading of 1400 would be c 135 The that coincides with the anal