Variations in Blood Pressure

1. Measuring Blood Pressure
• vital signs - blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and body temperature
• auscultory method of blood pressure measurement
• "sphygmomanometer" wrapped around upper arm
• inflate above systolic pressure of brachial a.
• pressure released, first sounds - systolic pr.
• disappearance of sounds - diastolic pr.
2. Hypotension (below normal blood pressure, <>
   • factors - age, physical conditioning, illness
   • orthostatic hypotension - generally in elderly, drop in blood pressure during postural changes
   • chronic hypotension - ongoing low blood pressure
   • low blood protein levels (nutrition)
   • Addison's disease (adrenal cortex malfunction)
   • hypothyroidism
   • also sign of various types of cancer
3. Hypertension (above normal blood pressure at rest, > 140/90)
• factors - weight, exercise, emotions, stress
• chronic hypertension - ongoing high blood pressure
• prevalent in obese and elderly
• leads to heart disease, renal failure, stroke
• also leads to more arteriosclerosis
• primary hypertension - unidentified source
• high Na+, cholesterol, fat levels
• clear genetic component (in families)
• diuretics - promote water removal
• NE blockers - slow vasoconstriction
• secondary hypertension - identifiable disorder
• kidney disorders
• endocrine (hormone) disorders
• arteriosclerosis

Category: Physiology Notes