Introduction:
Importance of Blood Pressure in Circulatory System, on cue cards – (oxygen or nutrients would not
reach our tissues and organs through our arteries nor would white blood cells be distributed
through our bodies. Blood pressure also helps carry the toxic waste in our bodies through our liver
and kidney.)
1. What is Blood Pressure?
Definition: Force exerted by blood against vessel walls/ Blood pressure is the term used to
describe the strength with which your blood pushes on the sides of your arteries as it's
pumped around your body.
Factors Maintaining Blood Pressure: Heart Pumping and Peripheral Resistance (The resistance to
blood flow resulting from the friction of blood against the walls of vessels.
Dynamics of Blood Pressure: Systole and Diastole = Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:
The first number, called systolic blood pressure,& diastolic pressure.
Image: Diagram illustrating systolic and diastolic pressure in the arteries
2. Systolic Blood Pressure:
The systolic blood pressure is defined as the maximum pressure experienced in the aorta when the
heart contracts and ejects blood into the aorta from the left ventricle (approximately 120 mmHg)
the maximum blood pressure during contraction of the ventricles
measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.
Maximum Pressure in Aorta during Ventricular Contraction
Average Systolic Pressure in Healthy Adults: 120mm Hg
Suggested Image: Visual representation of systolic blood pressure measurement
3. Diastolic Blood Pressure:
The diastolic blood pressure is the minimum pressure experienced in the aorta when the heart is
relaxing before ejecting blood into the aorta from the left ventricle (approximately 80 mmHg).
the pressure when your heart rests between beats
Role of Aorta and Elastic Arteries in Diastole
Maintenance of Pressure during Heart Relaxation
Average Diastolic Pressure in Healthy Adults: 80mm Hg
Suggested Image: Illustration showing the recoil of arterial walls during diastole
4. Importance of Blood Pressure:
delivers nutrients and oxygen to all parts of your body, including important organs like your heart,
brain, and kidneys. Your beating heart helps to push blood through your vast network of blood
vessels, both large and small.
Ensuring Steady Blood Flow to Capillaries
Supplying Nutrients, Oxygen, and Other Requirements to Cells
Role in Capillary Function and Wall Integrity
Suggested Image: Comparison of blood pressure in arteries and capillaries
5. Measurement of Blood Pressure:
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
Instruments Used for Blood Pressure Measurement: a sphygmomanometer, which is more often
referred to as a blood pressure cuff. The cuff is wrapped around your upper arm and inflated to
stop the flow of blood in your artery or a baumanometer.
Recording Blood Pressure: Systolic and Diastolic Values: Your blood pressure is recorded as two
numbers:
Systolic blood pressure (the first number) – indicates how much pressure your blood is
exerting against your artery walls when the heart contracts.
Diastolic blood pressure (the second number) – indicates how much pressure your blood is
exerting against your artery walls while the heart muscle is resting between
contractions.(repetition of above info)
Normal Range of Blood Pressure in Adults
Suggested Image: Illustration of blood pressure measurement technique
6. Factors Affecting Blood Pressure:
1. Cardiac output
2. Peripheral vascular resistance
3. Volume of circulating blood
4. Viscosity of blood
5. Elasticity of vessels walls
Blood pressure increases with increased cardiac output, peripheral vascular resistance,
volume of blood, viscosity of blood and rigidity of vessel walls.
Blood pressure decreases with decreased cardiac output, peripheral vascular resistance,
volume of blood, viscosity of blood and elasticity of vessel walls.
7. Bibliography:
https://www.keckmedicine.org/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-blood-
pressure/#:~:text=Without%20blood%20pressure%20%E2%80%94%20the%20force,through%
20our%20liver%20and%20kidney.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blood-pressure-test/
https://quizlet.com/211837228/peripheral-resistance-15-flash-cards/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482408/
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2016/01/blood-pressure-matters
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/19255.htm#:~:text=To%20measure%20blood%2
0pressure%2C%20your,of%20blood%20in%20your%20artery.
https://pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca/vitalsign/chapter/factors-that-influence-blood-
pressure/
