Cardiac cycle, pulse and blood pressure Flashcards
What is a pulse ?
created when the left ventricle contracts- causing a series of pressure of waves within the arteries. Normal range : 60-80 beats per min
Pulse points
4.44- 5 litres of blood is circulating through the heart per minute.
Where are the pulse joints?
Radial pulse can be felt at the inner aspect of the wrist proximal to the thumb, where the radial artery runs along the radial
bone.
What is Bradycardia & Tachycardia?
BRADYCARDIA- Below 60 bpm → lower heart rate than normal
TACHYCARDIA- Above `100 bpm → higher rate than normal pregnancy: underline sepsis, haemorrhage
What is the systolic pressure?
The systolic pressure is the maximum pressure of the blood against the wall of the artery and this occurs during ventricular contraction.
What is diastolic pressure?
The diastolic is the minimum pressure of the blood against the wall of the artery, which occurs following closure of the aortic valve
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the wall of the vessels in which it is contained. It is usually expressed in terms of millimetres of mercury (mmHg
What is the pulse pressure?
‘pulse pressure’ (representing the force that a person’s heart generates each time it contracts and a indicator of heart problems)
is the numerical difference between the systolic and diastolic readings, so if the blood pressure reading was 110/60, then the pulse pressure is 50.
What is hypotension?
The term hypotension refers to low blood pressure and it is defined in patients with a blood pressure that is below 100/60
What is hypertension?
Hypertension refers to high blood pressure and this can be either acute or chronic – the acute phase may result from physical exertion, anxiety, or stress, for example, but is normally be resolved once the threat or activity disappears.
In the chronic stage, despite removing the external threat, the elevated blood pressure will continu
What is Arrhythmias?
Arrhythmia is an abnormal heart beat and there are different kinds of abnormal rhythms that can affect the efficiency of the heart. As a result, an accurate reading can be difficult to obtain due to sound variability.Ventricular arrhythmia occurs when the ventricles in the heart beat abnormally – if the ventricles beat abnormally fast, this is called ventricular tachycardia; if they flutter or fibrillate this is known as ventricular fibrillation.
Amplitude
-weak, faint, thread, strong or bounding
Equipment for blood pressure
A sphygmomanometer is used to measure patients’ blood pressure
The cuff is used to encircle the arm and encloses the inflatable bladder.
The stethoscope is to ensure that it is switched to the diaphragm as opposed to the bell – the bell transmits low frequency sounds, while the diaphragm transmits higher frequency sounds.
What is MAP Mean Arterial Pressure?
MAP=[ (2 x diastolic) + systolic] divided by 3 110/70
2x70+110/3
140+110/3
250/3
MAP=83.3
Below 65mmHg indicates poor perfusion Above 100mmHg signifies hypertension
What is heart rate?
A normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 bpm while you’re resting.
