The Force of the Blood

The Force of the Blood

  • Submitted By: hpeacock16
  • Date Submitted: 05/05/2010 3:56 PM
  • Category: Science
  • Words: 1187
  • Page: 5
  • Views: 290

Blood pressure (BP) is defined as the force of the blood as it moves through the arteries in which carry blood away from the heart. Blood pressure is measured by the use of a blood pressure cuff. It consists of the systolic number and the diastolic number, written as systolic/ diastolic mmHg (millimeters of mercury). The systolic pressure is generated when the heart contracts and reflects the pressure of the blood against arterial walls. The diastolic pressure reflects the pressure in the arteries while the heart is filling and resting between heartbeats. 120/80 mmHg is considered the average blood pressure of a healthy adult. In a healthy person, BP rises as a result of exercise, stress, or excitement, and then returns to normal. In a person with a diagnosis of hypertension (high blood pressure), it remains high constantly. This means the arteries are not opening widely enough to allow blood to flow freely. The blood is in return backed up and puts constant pressure on the heart. Hypertension in adults is defined as a consistently elevated blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher. Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) is defined as systolic BP greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg and diastolic BP less than or equal to 90 mm Hg. These definitions are the same regardless of age.
More than one half of the population aged 65 or older has hypertension, most commonly ISH. Increases in (BP), particularly systolic BP, have traditionally been considered to be a normal or "physiologic" component of the aging process. However, it is now clear that elevated BP, particularly systolic BP, represents a sign of altered cardiovascular physiology and structure, eventually leading to myocardial infarction, stroke, and total cardiovascular death rates.
There have been numerous studies/ surveys done to help better understand hypertension in the elderly. One survey done, the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1991-1994), examined the prevalence of...

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