Blood Pressure

Question 1

Measurement of the pressure 
that the blood exerts on the 
walls of the arteries during the 
various stages of heart activity 
(or as the heart contracts and relaxes)
 Measured in millimeters of 
mercury – mm Hg – using a 
sphygmomanometer
 Recorded as fractions

Answer 1

Blood Pressure

Question 2

Systolic pressure – greatest force exerted on
the artery walls by the heart. You hear the
1st beat when contraction occurs.
Diastolic pressure– least force. This
pressure occurs as the heart relaxes between
contractions.

Answer 2

BP’s are read at 2 points

Question 3

Pressure occurs in walls of arteries when the 
left ventricle of the heart is contracting and 
pushing blood into the arteries.
Normal systolic reading – 120 mm Hg
Normal range – 100 – 140 mm Hg
Noted as the reading on the 
sphygmomanometer gauge when the 1st 
sound is heard.

Answer 3

Systolic Pressure

Question 4

Constant pressure that is in the walls of the
arteries when the left ventricle of the heart is at
rest – or between contractions.
 Blood has moved forward into the capillaries and
veins, so the volume of blood in the arteries has
decreased.
 Normal diastolic reading – 80 mmHg
 Normal range – 60 – 90 mmHg
 Adults: noted as the reading on the sphygmomanometer
when the sound stops or becomes very faint.
 Children: noted as the reading on the sphygmomanometer
when the sound changes and becomes soft or muffled.

Answer 4

Diastolic Pressure

Question 5

The difference between systolic and 
diastolic pressure
Normal range is 30 to 50 mm Hg
Example:   BP is 120/80 mm Hg
– Systolic = 120 - Diastolic = 80
       Pulse Pressure is 40

Answer 5

Pulse pressure

Question 6

Loss of artery 
elasticity (this gives more 
resistance, and the blood 
pressure increases)
 Exercise
 Eating
 Smoking
 Stimulants (caffeine, 
medication)
 Anxiety

Answer 6

Factors that increase blood pressure

Question 7

Hemorrhage
 Inactivity
 Fasting
 Suppressants (meds that 
cause blood pressure to lower)
 Depression
 Shock

Answer 7

Factors that decrease blood pressure

Question 8

Systolic
 Between 90 and 140 
mm mercury
 Highest pressure 
against blood vessels
 First heart beat heard 
when taking BP
 Documented as the top 
number
Diastolic
 Between 60 and 90 
mm mercury
 Lowest pressure 
against blood vessels 
 Measured between 
contractions
 Second heart sound 
heard when taking BP
 Documented as the 
bottom number

Answer 8

Normal Blood Pressure

Question 9

HTN (hypertension) – High blood pressure,
pressure greater than 140 mm Hg systolic and 90 mm Hg diastolic
Silent killer – another name for hypertension
Asymptomatic – without visible symptoms
Hypotension – low blood pressure, pressure less than 100
mm Hg systolic and 60 mm Hg diastolic
Millimeters – measure of length

Answer 9

BP terminology

Question 10

Orthostatic, or postural hypotension
– Occurs when there is a sudden drop in both
systolic and diastolic pressure when an individual
moves from lying to a sitting or standing position.
– Caused by the instability of blood vessels to
compensate quickly to change in position.
– Pt becomes lightheaded, dizzy, may have blurred
vision
– Sx last a few seconds until the blood vessels
compensate and more blood is pushed to the brain

Answer 10

BP Terminology

Question 11

Equipment needed to take 
BP
 Sphygmomanometer  
       sphygmo – refers to pulse
       mano – refers to pressure
       meter – refers to measure 
 Gauge – standard scale for 
measurement
 Stethoscope  - instrument used 
to amplify sound 
 Inflated – to fill up with air

Answer 11

Blood Pressure Apparatus

Question 12

Mercury ( not seen often/ obsolete)
Aneroid – has round gauge
– Each line represents 2 mm Hg
Electronic/digital

Answer 12

Different kinds of BP cuffs