Blood Pressure and Pulse Rate Flashcards
Thromboembolism
Obstruction of a blood vessel due to a blood clot that has become dislodged from another site in the circulatory system.
Systolic Blood Pressure
Pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting.
Diastolic Blood Pressure
Pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxed.
Cardiac Output
The amount of blood the heart pumps around the body in one minute. Cardiac output = stroke volume x heart rate.
Stroke Volume
Amount of blood ejected in one heart contraction. Measured in ml per beat.
Ectopic Heartbeat
Change in a heartbeat that is otherwise normal.
Cardiac Arrythmia
An abnormal heartbeat I.e. Too fast or too slow.
Pregnancy induced hypertension
A high blood pressure reading during pregnancy.
Hypovolaemia
A decreased volume of circulating blood in the body linked with body fluid balance. Hypovolaemia is an indication of dehydration.
Hypervolaemia
An increased volume of circulating blood in the body. Linked with body fluid balance. Can lead to oedema.
Baroreceptors
Sense pressure changes in the blood vessels and relay this information to the brain so that blood pressure can be adjusted accordingly.
Bradycardia
A slow heart action.
Tachycardia
A fast heart action.
Hypotension
When artery blood pressure is abnormally low.
Hypertension
When artery blood pressure is abnormally high.
Chronic Hypertension
Hypertension that is present at the booking appointment or before 20 weeks if the woman is already taking anti hypertensive medication.
Gestational hypertension
New hypertension in pregnancy. Developing after 20 weeks gestation but without significant proteinuria.
What are the two cuff sizes for taking blood pressure?
<33cm is a normal cuff size
>33cm is a large cuff size
How long must we wait after estimating the systolic blood pressure?
15-30 seconds
What does mmHg stand for?
Millimetres of mercury.
At what rate must we inflate/deflate the cuff?
2-3 mmHg each second
After obtaining the diastolic blood pressure, how long must we listen for?
20 mmHg below diastolic reading.
Over which artery do we position the stethoscope?
The brachial artery
How far above the anticubital fossa must we place the cuff.
2-3 cm above
How many korotkoff sounds are there?
5
