Blood pressure

Blood pressure
The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is produced primarily by the contraction of the heart muscle. It's measurement is recorded by two numbers. The first (systolic pressure) is measured after the heart contracts and is highest. The second (diastolic pressure) is measured before the heart contracts and lowest. A blood pressure cuff is used to measure the pressure. Elevation of blood pressure is called "hypertension." (see hypertension).

* * *

blood pressure n pressure exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and esp. arteries, usu. measured on the radial artery by means of a sphygmomanometer, and expressed in millimeters of mercury either as a fraction having as numerator the maximum pressure that follows systole of the left ventricle of the heart and as denominator the minimum pressure that accompanies cardiac diastole or as a whole number representing the first value only <a blood pressure of 120/80> <a blood pressure of 120> abbr. BP

* * *

the pressure of blood against the walls of the main arteries. Pressure is highest during systole, when the ventricles are contracting (systolic pressure), and lowest during diastole, when the ventricles are relaxing and re-filling (diastolic pressure). Blood pressure is measured - in millimetres of mercury - by means of a sphygmomanometer at the brachial artery of the arm, where the pressure is most similar to that of blood leaving the heart. The normal range varies with age, but a young adult would be expected to have a systolic pressure of around 120 mm and a diastolic pressure of 80 mm. These are recorded as 120/80.
Individual variations are common. Muscular exertion and emotional factors, such as fear, stress, and excitement, all raise systolic blood pressure (see hypertension). Systolic blood pressure is normally at its lowest during sleep. Severe shock may lead to an abnormally low blood pressure and possible circulatory failure (see hypotension). Blood pressure is adjusted to its normal level by the sympathetic nervous system and hormonal controls.

* * *

1. the pressure of blood against the walls of any blood vessel. 2. the pressure of the blood on the walls of the arteries, dependent on the energy of the heart action, the elasticity of the walls of the arteries, and the volume and viscosity of the blood. The maximum or systolic blood pressure occurs near the end of the stroke output of the left ventricle of the heart. The minimum or diastolic blood pressure occurs late in ventricular diastole. Mean blood pressure is the average of the blood pressure levels, and basic blood pressure is that during quiet rest or basal conditions. See also hypertension and hypotension.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • blood pressure — blood .pressure n [U] the force with which blood travels through your body ▪ high blood pressure check/take sb s blood pressure (=measure it) ▪ The nurse will take your blood pressure …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • blood pressure — blood ,pressure noun uncount the pressure at which blood flows from your heart around your body. Blood pressure that is either very high or very low can be dangerous to your health …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • blood pressure — n. the pressure exerted by the blood against the inner walls of the blood vessels, esp. the arteries, or the heart: it varies with health, age, emotional tension, etc …   English World dictionary

  • blood pressure — ► NOUN ▪ the pressure of the blood in the circulatory system, which is closely related to the force and rate of the heartbeat …   English terms dictionary

  • Blood pressure — For information about high blood pressure, see Hypertension. Blood pressure Diagnostics A sphygmomanometer, a device used for measuring arterial pressure. MeSH …   Wikipedia

  • blood pressure — noun the pressure of the circulating blood against the walls of the blood vessels; results from the systole of the left ventricle of the heart; sometimes measured for a quick evaluation of a person s health (Freq. 2) adult blood pressure is… …   Useful english dictionary

  • blood pressure — Physiol. the pressure of the blood against the inner walls of the blood vessels, varying in different parts of the body during different phases of contraction of the heart and under different conditions of health, exertion, etc. Abbr.: BP Cf.… …   Universalium

  • blood pressure — the pressure of blood against the walls of the main arteries. Pressure is highest during systole, when the ventricles are contracting (systolic pressure), and lowest during diastole, when the ventricles are relaxing and refilling (diastolic… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • blood pressure — The force of circulating blood on the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is taken using two measurements: systolic (measured when the heart beats, when blood pressure is at its highest) and diastolic (measured between heart beats, when blood… …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • blood pressure — noun a) The pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries and veins; it varies during the heartbeat cycle, and according to a persons age, health and physical condition. the great majority of people who have serious conditions… …   Wiktionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”