| Blood pressure is the pressure or force exerted on | | | | then the lower reading where the beating stops and |
| the arteries by the blood as it flows or travels | | | | record them. If the upper reading is heard at 120 and |
| through them. It is usually measured in millimeters of | | | | the lower at 70, the blood pressure is then 120 |
| mercury (mmHg) with the aid of a | | | | 70mmHg. If you are using the digital |
| sphygmomanometer. | | | | sphygmomanometer, follow same procedure but |
| Two readings are important and should be noted | | | | without using the stethoscope. Press the button and |
| while taking blood pressure measurement: they are | | | | the cuff is inflated automatically. The readings are |
| the systolic and the diastolic pressure. Systolic is the | | | | displayed on the monitor, including the pulse rate. |
| pressure produced when the heart contracts, while | | | | Note that some factors affect the readings. Some of |
| diastolic is the pressure produced when the heart is | | | | the factors include Age, Drugs, Exercise, Position, |
| at rest, and as the ventricles dilate and are refilled | | | | body surface etc. For instance blood pressure slightly |
| with blood. Systolic is therefore the upper reading | | | | increases with age and in a person with a larger body |
| while diastolic is the lower reading. | | | | surface. |
| The normal range of blood pressure readings for a | | | | Some terminologies you should know: |
| young adult is 100-120/70-80mmHg, though this may | | | | 1. Normotension: this refers to normal blood pressure. |
| vary with age. Sometimes the formula 100±20 | | | | It is the ideal for an individual, depending on his or her |
| 70±10 could be used to determine the normal | | | | age. |
| pressure for a young adult. | | | | 2. High blood pressure: this is when the pressure is |
| How is it measured? | | | | elevated above normal. Normally it is elevated above |
| Usually the individual is made to sit down for at least | | | | 140/90mmHg. |
| 2-3 minutes before readings are taken. The cuff of | | | | 3. Hypertension: this is the persistent elevation of |
| the sphygmomanometer (Analogue or digital) is | | | | blood pressure above 140/90mmHg. |
| wrapped around his upper arm (whichever arm you | | | | 4. Hypotension: It is an abnormally low arterial |
| choose) with the bottom of the cuff about ½" | | | | pressure. This could be a reading of below 80 |
| above your elbow. Place the earpiece of your | | | | 60mmHg. |
| stethoscope on your ears and place the diaphragm | | | | An abnormally high pressure is dangerous just as an |
| over the brachial artery (at the inside of the elbow) | | | | abnormally low one is. There should therefore be a |
| and inflate, Listening as you inflate (if using the | | | | balance. The best desired blood pressures should |
| analogue sphygmomanometer). Take the upper | | | | then be the normotensive pressure. |
| reading where you start to hear the heart beat and | | | | |