Question

Detail how blood pressure is taken and provide normal blood pressure values. In your narrative, answer the following:

-What role do the sounds of Korotkoff play in determining blood pressure values?

-How does position impact blood pressure readings?

-How can exercise alter blood pressure values both immediately and long term?

Answer 1

• Blood pressure is measured by using an instrument called 'sphygmomanometer', which is also known as a blood pressure gauge or a blood pressure monitor. It contains an inflatable cuff and mercury. For taking the blood pressure, the cuff is placed around the arm and is inflated with a pump until the circulation of blood cuts off. The doctor uses stethoscope which is placed over the arm of the person who is being tested for blood pressure. With the stethoscope, the doctor listens to the sound of blood pulse through the arteries. The first sound indicates the 'systolic pressure' and once this sound is faded, the second sound comes which indicates the 'diastolic pressure'.
• While measuring the blood pressure by ausculation (listening to sounds from heart), turbulent flow will occur when the cuff pressure is greater than the diastolic pressure and less than the systolic pressure and during this flow of turbulence, some tapping sounds occurs, which are known as "Korotkoff sounds". When the cuff pressure gets lowered the sound becomes continuous and when the sound reaches diastolic pressure, it stops immediately.
• Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (Hg) as mm Hg. The normal blood pressure values are 120/80. The number 120 indicates 'systolic pressure' and the number 80 indicates 'diastolic pressure'.
• The position of person being checked blood pressure, has an impact on the reading of blood pressure. In standing position, the blood pressure tends to drop when compared to sitting and sleeping positions and the systolic and diastolic blood pressures will be higher in sleeping positions when compared to other positions.
• With the physical activities like exercising, running and cycling, heart starts to pump harder and faster to circulate blood for delivering oxygen to muscles and this causes rise in systolic blood pressure immediately. Regular physical activities makes our heart stronger, which can pump more blood with less effort. If the heart can pump blood with less effort, force on the arteries gets decreased by lowering blood pressure. These benefits can happen if we continue exercising for longer terms.

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