Blood Pressure What Causes Blood Pressure Blood is

Blood Pressure

What Causes Blood Pressure? • Blood is a fluid. • As fluids move through a pipe there is pressure exerted on the wall of the pipe. • This pressure is called hydrostatic pressure. • When blood moves through blood vessels, there is pressure on the walls. This is blood pressure! Click on picture.

Blood Pressure Measurement • Systole- Measures pressure on arteriole wall when heart contracts. • Diastole- Measures pressure on arteriole wall when heart relaxes between contractions. • Blood pressure measurements are indicated as the ratio of systolic to diastolic pressures.

Blood Pressure Measurement • Traditionally measured in mm of mercury – The measurement is the force that can support a column of mercury so many mm high • Traditionally taken in upper arm on level with the heart; can be taken elsewhere to measure peripheral blood flow or pressure • Example Measurement 120 / 70: Systolic=120 Diastolic=70 Click on picture.

What is MAP? • MAP= Mean Arterial Pressure • Used to measure adequacy of blood getting to vital tissues and organs • Calculated by following formula: Systolic pressure + 2(Diastolic pressure) 3

Clinical Significance of MAP • It is believed that a MAP that is greater than 60 mm. Hg is enough to sustain the organs of the average person. • MAP is normally between 70 to 110 mm. Hg • If the MAP falls significantly below this number for an appreciable time, the end organ will not get enough blood flow, and will become ischemic.

What Can Influence Blood Pressure? • Many things, including (but not limited to): – Diet – Weight – Age – Genetics – Stress – Smoking – Physical Activity Click on picture.

High Blood Pressure: It’s Effect on your Body! As you watch the video, take notes on the different ways high blood pressure can affect your body. Click on picture.