Blood pressure is an essential parameter of body health that reflects the pressure applied by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. Monitoring blood pressure helps detect serious cardiovascular health risks early, especially since high blood pressure often develops without any obvious symptoms.
A blood pressure reading contains two values, and adult readings are grouped into six categories.
Blood pressure is the pressure applied by the blood on the walls of the blood vessels during blood circulation.
Blood pressure is measured using an instrument called a sphygmomanometer. The standard unit of measurement is millimetres of mercury, written with the symbol \(\text{mmHg}\). Mercury was used in the first accurate pressure gauges and remains the standard unit in medicine.
Two ways to measure. Medical practitioners in hospitals and clinics use a standard sphygmomanometer together with a stethoscope. Home monitoring can be carried out using a digital sphygmomanometer.
A blood pressure reading is recorded by taking two readings in the form \(\text{systolic}/\text{diastolic}\), for example \(120/80\text{ mmHg}\).
The top number. It is the pressure applied on the wall of blood vessels when the heart muscles contract.
The bottom number. It is the pressure applied on the wall of blood vessels when the heart muscle is resting between heartbeats.
High and prolonged readings indicate high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Low and prolonged readings indicate low blood pressure. High blood pressure usually has no clear symptoms. If uncontrolled, high blood pressure can lead to serious health complications such as a stroke. Having regular medical check-ups is the best way to track blood pressure.
Answer in your mind, then press “Check Answer”.
What does the top number in a blood pressure reading represent?
What is the standard instrument and unit used to measure blood pressure?
What serious health complication can result from poorly controlled high blood pressure?
Blood pressure only exists when a person is stressed or exercising.
Blood pressure is always present because blood must exert pressure on vessel walls continuously during circulation to move through the body.
A single elevated blood pressure reading means a person has chronic high blood pressure.
Blood pressure readings must be high and prolonged to indicate high blood pressure.
Low blood pressure is the only safe reading.
Optimal blood pressure is less than \(120/80\text{ mmHg}\), but readings that are low and prolonged show that a person might be experiencing low blood pressure, which is also an abnormal parameter.
1 Which instrument is used by medical practitioners together with a stethoscope to measure blood pressure?
2 What does the bottom number in a blood pressure reading represent?
3 The unit for measuring blood pressure is millimetres of mercury, represented by the symbol .
4 If high blood pressure is not well-controlled, it can lead to more serious medical problems such as a .
Drag each blood pressure category to its corresponding systolic pressure range for adults. On a phone, tap an answer first, then tap a matching box. Tap the Answer Choices area to return a selected item.
Write the correct blood pressure category next to each systolic pressure range.
Answer choices: Optimal • Normal • At risk • High blood pressure stage 1
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