The heart is an efficient pump that beats 60 to 80 times per minute throughout our life and promote by 5 to 6 liters of blood per minute throughout the body. Blood pressure is the force with which the heart pumps blood through the vessels. Is determined by the volume of blood from the heart and the resistance it encounters to move the body.
It can be modified by variations in blood volume or viscosity (thickness) of blood, heart rate (beats per minute) and the elasticity of blood vessels. The hormonal and nerve signals that regulate the resistance blood are influenced by personal and environmental.
What is it?
Hypertension is blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) in adults over 18 years, measured at rest for fifteen minutes and confirmed on three consecutive occasions and in several visits.
Occasional elevations of pressure can occur with physical exercise, nervousness, worry, drugs, food, tobacco, alcohol and coffee.
Care to measure blood pressure
Care should be taken when there is blood pressure:
- rest 15 minutes in a calm and pleasant
- the bladder should be empty (urinate before)
- after exercise, alcohol, coffee or smoke, wait 30 minutes to measure
- the cuff pressure device should be stable and well adjusted to the arm and have a width of 40% of arm circumference, and this should be kept at heart
- not speak during the procedure
- wait 1 to 2 minutes between measurements
- cuff especially for obese children and should be used
- a sitting or lying position is recommended in routine measures it is far lower value obtained