Topic
BP: Why is blood pressure expressed in millimeters of mercury; describe how changes in blood pressure operate the heart valves;
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). One of the reasons mercury is used is because mercury is denser than water and blood. The mercury is used to measure blood pressure since even elevated blood pressure levels cannot rise above one foot (Flack & Adekola, 2020). The medical history gives the standard measurement of blood pressure in mmHg. Using mercury means that 140mmHg pressure will push up a column of liquid mercury centimeters. Blood pressure is measured in two numbers: systolic and diastolic blood pressure (Omidvar & Kim, 2020). Systolic blood pressure indicates when the heart is contracting to pump the blood into circulation. Diastolic blood pressure is when the heart relaxes to refill more blood for pumping. The average systolic blood pressure is 100 to 139mmHg, while the diastolic pressure is 69 to 89mmHg.
Changes in the blood pressure should coordinate with the function of opening and closing valves. High or low blood pressure can affect the function of the valves (Omidvar & Kim, 2020). For instance, high blood pressure increases the risk of aortic valve disease. People who experience changes in blood pressure resulting in valve damage result in dizziness, fainting, fatigue, and shortness of breath. High blood pressure causes the valves to leak. The complications can present diverse effects on the body to trigger death (Flack & Adekola, 2020). The valve opens and closes to regulate the blood flow. Low blood pressure can affect the closing and opening of the valves.
High blood pressure and malfunctioning valves cause complications that severely affect the health of individuals. Appropriate interventions are needed to regulate the blood pressure and function of the valves. Patients with diverse symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, fatigue, and shortness of breath should get immediate medical attention (Flack & Adekola, 2020). Early treatment effectively reduces the risk of health effects that can undermine the daily activities of individuals. Regular assessment reduces the risk of malfunctioning valves and abnormal blood pressure levels.
References
Flack, J. M., & Adekola, B. (2020). Blood pressure and the new ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines. Trends in cardiovascular medicine, 30(3), 160-164.
Omidvar, A., & Kim, J. (2022). Thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses to up-step change transient thermal environments: A risk factor in individuals with prosthetic heart valves. Building and Environment, 212, 108852.
