GDA Nursing Class Notes 29

BLOOD PRESSURE

Blood pressure is the pressure blood exert against the walls of the vessels in which it is contained. Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it around your body. It’s typically measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

Normal blood pressure: 120/80 mm of Hg

Blood pressure is measured with the help of sphygmomanometer and stethoscope.

PURPOSE

The primary purpose of checking blood pressure is to assess a person’s cardiovascular health and monitor the force of blood flow within their arteries. Here are the main purposes of checking blood pressure:

Detecting Hypertension

Assessing Cardiovascular Risk

Monitoring General Health

Managing Chronic Conditions

TYPES OF PRESSURE:-

1. Systolic Blood Pressure: This is the higher number in a blood pressure reading, representing the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts and pumps blood into the circulatory system. It is typically the first sound heard when measuring blood pressure and is expressed as millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
2. Diastolic Blood Pressure: This is the lower number in a blood pressure reading, indicating the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats, filling with blood. It is the second sound heard during blood pressure measurement and is also expressed in mm Hg.

COMMON PROBLEMS

Hypertension- High blood pressure, systolic pressure more than 140 mm of Hg. Hypertension, often referred to as high blood pressure, is a medical condition characterized by consistently elevated blood pressure levels. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps it around the body. Hypertension is a significant health concern because it can strain the heart, damage blood vessels, and lead to serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and more.

Hypotension: Low blood pressure, systolic pressure less than 90 mm of Hg. Hypotension, also known as low blood pressure, is a medical condition characterized by abnormally low blood pressure levels. Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps it around the body. In hypotension, this pressure is lower than what is considered normal, which can lead to inadequate blood flow to vital organs and tissues.