Understanding Blood Pressure - Lab Report Example

A blood pressure reading is two measurements in one, with one written over (systolic pressure) representing the number of contracts (beats) and pushing blood through the circulatory system.  The lower number (diastolic pressure) represents the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is in the circulatory system. The lower number the of blood vessels between beats, when the heart is resting. According to health guidelines, normal blood pressure is below 130/85 and 139/89.

High blood pressure is divided into 4 stages, based on severity: stage1 (mild) high blood pressure ranges from 140/90 to 159/99; stage2 (moderate) is from 160/100 to 179/109;stage3 (severe) is from 180/10 to 209/119; stage4 (very severe) is 210/120 and up.

The diagnosis of hypertension can be based on either the systolic or the diastolic reading. High blood pressure usually cannot be cured, but it can be controlled in a variety of ways, including lifestyle modifications and medication.  Treatment should be at the direction and under the supervision of a physician.

Mean Arterial Blood Pressure (MAP) is the driving force and is calculated as:

MAP = Diastolic Pressure + 1/3 (Systolic Pressure – Diastolic Pressure).

Effects on Blood Pressure

Heart attack uncomfortable pressure, fullness squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest lasting 2 minutes or longer; pain may radiate to the shoulder, arm, neck, or jaw; sweating may accompany pain or discomfort; nausea and vomiting may also occur; shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting may accompany other signs; what is required is immediate action at the onset of these symptoms.  More than half of heart attack victims die within one hour of the onset of symptoms and before they have reached the hospital.

Stroke sudden temporary weakness or numbness of face or limbs on one side of the body; temporary loss of speech, or trouble speaking or understanding speech temporary dim vision; unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness, or sudden falls.

Blood Pressure High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and congestive heart failure.

A blood cholesterol level over 240mg/dl (milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood) approximately doubles the risk of coronary heart disease.  Blood cholesterol levels between 200 and 240 mg/dl are in a zone of moderate and increasing risk.  An estimated 6.5 mil (10.8%) of youth aged 4-19 have a level of 200mg/dl or higher.

Cigarette smokers have more than twice the risk of heart attack and 2-4 times the risk of sudden cardiac death than nonsmokers. Young smokers have a higher risk of early death from stroke. Obesity Many people are becoming obese due to their sedentary lifestyle and intake of fatty food.

Stress

It’s a simple fact that stress is a part of life. No one can avoid it. Stress is the natural way we gear up to meet life’s demands; it’s the way we react to all the challenges of our day-to-day existence—mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

• The patient’s heart pumps faster to get more blood to the muscles.
• The patient’s blood pressure rises as her arteries narrow and her heart beats faster.
• The patient’s breathing becomes faster to move more oxygen to the blood.
• The patient’s muscles tense up to get ready for action. This can result in a feeling of muscular pain and stiffness or even in muscle spasms or back pain.
• The patient’s blood flow to the prefrontal cortex (or higher reasoning center) of the brain diminishes as more blood flows to the limbic (or more primitive) part of the brain.