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Review

Blood Pressure

Walter A. Brzezinski
H Kenneth Walker  1 , W Dallas Hall  1 , J Willis Hurst  1
, editors.
In: Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 16.
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Review

Blood Pressure

Walter A. Brzezinski.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

Blood pressure is the pressure, measured in millimeters of mercury, within the major arterial system of the body. It is conventionally separated into systolic and diastolic determinations. Systolic pressure is the maximum blood pressure during contraction of the ventricles; diastolic pressure is the minimum pressure recorded just prior to the next contraction.

The blood pressure is usually written as the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure (e.g., 120/80 mm Hg). The minimum acceptable blood pressure is determined by adequate perfusion of the vital organs without symptoms of hypotension. This is usually more than 90 mm Hg systolic and 60 mm Hg diastolic, although there can be great variation between patients. The report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (1984) gives a recommended scheme for categorizing arterial pressure in individuals age 18 years or over. This scheme is summarized in Table 16.1.

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References

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    1. *Kirkendall WM, Feinleib M, Freis ED et al. Recommendations for human blood pressure determination by sphygmomanometers. Hypertension. 1981;3:509A–19A. - PubMed
    1. The 1984 report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Arch Intern Med 1984; 144:1045–57. - PubMed

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