The heart contracts as it pumps the blood into the arteries. When the heart is contracting, the pressure is highest. this pressure is called the systolic pressure. As the heart relaxes between each contraction,the pressure goes down. When the heart is most relaxed, the pressure is lowest. This pressure is called the diastolic pressure.
In young, healthy adults, the normal blood pressure range is between 100 and 140 mmHg systolic pressure. It is between 60 and 90 mmHg diastolic pressure. When blood pressure is higher than the normal range for his or her age and condition, it is refered to as high blood pressure or called is hypertension. When the blood pressure is lower than the normal range for his or her age and condition, it is refered to as low blood pressure or called is hypotension.
Instrument For Measuring Blood Pressure
1. Sphygmomanometer
Generally there are two type of Sphygmomanometer to measure blood pressure. One is the mercury type. The other is the aneroid (dial) type. Both kinds have an inflatable, cloth-covered rubber bag or cuff that is wrapped around the arm. Both kinds also have a rubber bulb for pumping air into the cuff. The procedure for measuring blood pressure is the same, except for measuring the reading. When you use the mercury type, you will be watching the level of a column of mercury on a measuring scale. When you use the dial (aneroid) type, you will be watching a pointer on a dial.
When you measure blood pressure, you will be doing two things at the same time. You will listen to the brachial pulse as it sounds in the brachial artery in the arm. You also will watch an indicator (either a column of mercury or a dial) in order to take a reading.
2. Stethoscope
You will use a stethoscope to listen to the brachial pulse. The stethoscope is an instrument that makes it possible to listen various sound in the patient’s body, such as the heartbeat or breathing sounds in the chest. The stethoscope is a tube with one end that picks up sounds when it is placed against a part of the body. This end is either bell shapped, and is called a bell, or it is round and flat, and is called a diaphragm. The other end of the tube splits into two parts. These parts have tips on the ends and fit into the listener’s ears.
How Do Measuring Blood Pressure ?
1. Wrap the cuff around the arm above the elbow snugly and smoothly.
2. Be sure the manometer is in position so you can read the numbers easly.
3. With your fingertips, find the brachial pulse, and place the diaphragm or bell of the stethoscope.
4. Put the earplugs of the stethoscope into your ears.
5. Inflate the cuff with squeezes of the bulb until the dial point to 170 mmHg or mercury (200 mmHg or more in people with severe hypertension) For most kids, you shouldn't need to go over 150 mmHg or mercury.
6. At 170, slightly open the valve on the air pump. (This part takes practice.. It's important that you don't let the air out too suddenly. Likewise, your friend will be quite irritated with you if you let it out too slowly).
7. Listen for the first clear sound. This sound gives the reading for systolic pressure (top number). Continue releasing the air from the cuff. When the sounds change to a softer or muffled and faster. This value represents the diastolic blood pressure (bottom number).
8. Afterwards, open the air valve completely to release any remaining pressure
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