Blood Pressure (English)

In many situations, it is essential that we know the blood pressure of a patient. In acute situations, e.g., after an accident where a patient is bleeding, we need to know the blood pressure and how it is changing so that we can manage the patient's situation correctly.

Before, during and after anesthetics, blood pressure measurements are important. Some anesthetic agents, in addition to other drugs, may lower blood pressure acutely.

In routine medical check-ups, blood pressure is always measured. Some relatively small increase in blood pressure with aging is very common and may not require treatment. But persistently elevated blood pressure - hypertension - is potentially life threatening and is associated with heart disease and strokes. Effective management and treatment of hypertension is now possible. Therefore, it is essential that health professionals can measure blood pressure accurately so that people with hypertension are identified early and managed correctly.

Figure. Sphygmomanometer shown in position for recording blood pressure through the auscultation technique

This experiment studies blood pressure measurement through five exercises:

1. Auscultation
2. Auscultation using a cardio-microphone
3. Blood pressure & pulse
4. Does arm position matter?
5. Does cuff size matter?

Finally, two simple patient case studies are presented.