Blood pressure measurement
Blood Pressure Measurement
Blood pressure measurement is the process of determining the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels. It is one of the vital signs that healthcare professionals measure to assess a patient's general health status.
Pronunciation
- Blood: /blʌd/
- Pressure: /ˈprɛʃər/
- Measurement: /ˈmɛʒərmənt/
Etymology
The term "blood pressure" is derived from the English words "blood" and "pressure". "Blood" comes from the Old English "blod", and "pressure" originates from the Latin "pressura", meaning pressing. "Measurement" comes from the Old French "mesure", meaning to measure.
Procedure
Blood pressure is typically measured using a device called a sphygmomanometer. The process involves placing an inflatable cuff around the patient's arm and inflating it to constrict the blood vessels. The pressure is then slowly released while the healthcare professional listens with a stethoscope for the sound of blood starting to flow again.
Related Terms
- Hypertension: A condition characterized by consistently high blood pressure.
- Hypotension: A condition characterized by consistently low blood pressure.
- Systolic pressure: The top number in a blood pressure reading, representing the amount of pressure in your arteries during the contraction of your heart muscle.
- Diastolic pressure: The bottom number in a blood pressure reading, representing the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blood pressure measurement
- Wikipedia's article - Blood pressure measurement
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