Tag: human body and organ system

The instrument used for measuring blood pressure is known as sphygmomanometer. The blood pressure is measured in mm of Hg (millimetres of mercury) and recorded with systolic number first followed by diastolic. In a normal adult, BP is 120/80 mm Hg.

• Systolic pressure is the pressure in blood vessels or the force of blood against the wall of arteries when the ventricles pump out blood into them. It is about 120 mm Hg.
• Diastolic pressure is the pressure or the force of blood against the wall of arteries when the heart is relaxing and getting refilled with blood. It is about 80 mm Hg.

The adrenal glands, specifically through the secretion of hormones like aldosterone and adrenaline, play a critical role in regulating blood pressure. Aldosterone helps regulate blood volume by managing sodium and water retention.

Hypertension is generally defined as blood pressure consistently at or above 130/80 or 140/90 mm Hg. Among the choices, 140/100 represents a hypertensive reading.

Hypotension (low blood pressure) is often caused by fluid loss, blood loss, or endocrine issues. Excessive fluid intake would typically increase blood volume and potentially raise blood pressure rather than lower it.

In a blood pressure reading of 120/80, the top number (120) is the systolic pressure, which is the pressure during heart contraction. The bottom number (80) is the diastolic pressure.

When using a sphygmomanometer, the first sound heard (Korotkoff sound) as the cuff pressure is released corresponds to the systolic pressure. This is when the blood first begins to flow through the artery again.

A sphygmomanometer is used to measure both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It does not measure cardiac output directly.

Hypertension is often caused by factors that narrow or harden arteries, such as atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis, or by obesity. Anaemia is a condition characterized by a lack of red blood cells, which typically does not cause hypertension.