Blood pressure is defined as the measurement of the force the blood gives off against the artery walls as the blood is pumped throughout the body. Blood pressure can be considered normal, high, or low. Because high and low blood pressure can have adverse effects on the body and even lead to heart disease and stroke in some cases, it’s important to monitor blood pressure levels through annual testing.
A blood pressure test will measure two types of pressure – systolic and diastolic. Systolic pressure indicates the pressure when the heart contracts to pump blood. The diastolic pressure indicates the pressure between beats, when the heart is in a relaxed state. When recording blood pressure, the systolic number is always written or spoken first; for example, a blood pressure of 120/80 would read, “120 over 80,” 120 being the systolic pressureand 80 being the diastolic.
Bloodof ways. One way is referred to as invasive measurement. This type of blood pressure test involves the insertion of a flexible tube into the blood vessels and connecting it to a special machine. This method is used in intensive care or during anesthesiology rather than in a doctor’s office.
The most common methods of testing blood pressure are non-invasive methods, usually with a cuff strapped around the bare arm. When being tested for blood pressure, the doctor or nurse will have the patient bend their arm at the elbow, so it is level with the heart. He or she will then place a blood pressure cuff around the upper arm, usually around the bicep or an inch or so above the elbow, and inflate the cuff with a bulb.
Once the cuff is inflated, the doctor or nurse will place the stethoscope against the large artery on the inside of the elbow and feel for a pulse. He or she will then listen as the air is slowly released from the cuff. This pressure is released at about 2 mm per second. The first sounds that are heard as the pressure falls are the systolic pressure. When the sounds disappear, the diastolic pressure is then determined and recorded.
A non-invasive blood pressure test is a painless, quick procedure. A person who’s blood pressure is being tested can expect to feel pressure around the arm as the cuff is inflated. In some cases, the patient will feel a numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, and fingers. This is alleviated once the cuff is removed. Because blood pressure varies and can change in stressful situations such as a doctor’s office or hospital, the doctor or nurse may perform the test more than once to get a more accurate reading.
In order to ensure an accurate reading, patients should sit quietly and not move while being tested. It is a routine procedure that is normally conducted with each visit to the doctor’s office or hospital. Blood pressure machines can also be found in some grocery stores and pharmacies and can give a fairly accurate reading. A blood pressure test generally takes less than a minute to perform, except in cases where more than one test is given.
Once your blood pressure is tested, the doctor or nurse will determine whether or not your reading is normal. A normal reading in an adult is typically around 120/80. Blood pressure is normal, high, or low. High blood pressure is often associated with an increased risk in heart disease. Low blood pressure is not as dangerous as high blood pressure, but it can also lead to heart disease and stroke. In the event that blood pressure is high or low, the doctor may prescribe medication and recommend lifestyle changes.