Blood pressure

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Blood pressure

Blood pressure check

Effects of age on blood pressure

Next, the valve is opened slightly, allowing the pressure to fall gradually (2 to 3 mmHg per second). As the pressure falls, the level on the dial or mercury tube at which the pulsing is first heard is recorded. This is the systolic pressure.

As the air continues to be let out, the sounds will disappear. The point at which the sound disappears is recorded. This is the diastolic pressure (the lowest amount of pressure in the arteries as the heart rests).

The procedure may be performed two or more times.

The test may be done at any time. When it is performed for comparison purposes, it is usually done after resting for at least 5 minutes. All you need to perform a blood pressure measurement is a cuff and a device for detecting the pulse in the artery (stethoscope or microphone).

You will feel the pressure of the cuff on your arm. If the test is repeated a few times, you may feel temporary numbness or tingling in your hand.

Most people cannot sense if their blood pressure is high (hypertension) because there are usually no symptoms. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. For people who have high blood pressure, this test is a way of monitoring the effectiveness of medications and dietary modifications.

Low blood pressure may be a sign of a variety of illnesses, including heart failure, infection, gland disorders, and dehydration.

Review Date: 07/21/2006
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.