BLOOD PRESSURE Arterial blood pressure – is a measure of the pressure exerted by the blood as it flows through the arteries. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as a fraction. It is controlled by: 1. The force of hear contractions (resistance) 2. The amount of blood pump with each heartbeat (volume) 3. How easily the blood flow through the blood vessels (viscosity)
2 Blood Pressure measurements as the blood moves in waves: Systolic pressure – the pressure of the blood as a result of contraction of the ventricles, that is, the pressure of the height of the blood wave Diastolic pressure – the pressure when the ventricles are at rest; it is the lower pressure Pulse Pressure – the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure