2. Learning Objectives
• By the end of this lesson you should be able
to:
– Explain the concept of blood pressure
– Perform a basic blood pressure measurement on a
“patient”
– List the main blood-pressure-related diseases
– Promote strategies for healthy living
3.
4. What is blood pressure?
• The force of blood against artery walls
• Recorded as two numbers
1. systolic pressure
– heart contracts
2. diastolic pressure
– heart relaxes
5. What is blood pressure?
• The force of blood against artery walls
• Recorded as two numbers
1. systolic pressure (heart contracts)
2. diastolic pressure (heart relaxes
6. What is blood pressure?
• Measured in mmHg
(millimetres of
mercury)
• Measurement of
120/80 mmHg is
expressed verbally as
quot;120 over 80.“
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/bp/bp.htm
7. Classification of blood pressure for adults
Category systolic, mmHg diastolic, mmHg
Hypotension < 90 or < 60
Normal 90 – 119 and 60 – 79
Prehypertension 120 – 139 or 80 – 89
Stage 1 Hypertension 140 – 159 or 90 – 99
Stage 2 Hypertension ≥ 160 or ≥ 100
This classification of blood pressure applies to adults aged 18 and older. It is based on the average of
seated blood pressure readings that were properly measured during 2 or more office visits.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_pressure
8. High blood pressure
• High blood pressure often has no signs or
symptoms.
• The only way to find out if you have high
blood pressure is to be tested for it.
• A doctor or nurse can tell if your blood
pressure is high by using a
sphygmomanometer
9.
10.
11.
12. Healthy Circulatory System
• Quit smoking
• Maintain healthy weight
• Keep physically active
• Eat foods with less salt and
sodium
• Emphasise
fruits, vegetables, and low-fat
dairy foods
• Limit alcohol intake
