Blood Pressure Lab

A typical blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg. In our lab, subject 1 had a primary reading of 120/60 mm Hg, and a secondary reading of 110/70 mm Hg. Subject 2 had a primary reading of 90/55 mm Hg, and a secondary reading of 90/60 mm Hg.

To measure heart rate, we can use our fingers for radial and carotid pulse rate, and a stethoscope for the heart. To measure blood pressure, we use a sphygmomanometer. A thumb also has a pulse, so it can be confusing when counting pulse rates.

To use a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff), it needs to be put on someone's upper arm, fully deflated. The stethoscope then should be put just under the cuff. Squeezing the cuff bulb, the cuff will inflate quickly, cutting off blood pressure in the blood vessel under the cuff. Stop squeezing at around 150 mm Hg. Then, deflate the cuff by slowly opening the valve just above the bulb. Listening through the stethoscope, you will hear a sound starting - note the reading. When the sound ends, note this reading also. The first reading is systolic blood pressure, and the second is diastolic.