Question

Additional informative pressures can be calculated based on these two measures pressures. The pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures. When pressure rises from diastolic to systolic in an artery, it causes a slight bulge in the vessel. This is what is felt when an artery is palpated in order to detect the pulse.

The mean arterial pressure (MAP) equals the diastolic pressure plus one third of the pulse pressure, it represents the average arterial pressure during the cardiac cycle. The MAP minus venous pressure is the driving force of blood through the capillary beds.
If your blood pressure is 130/70, calculate the following:
- systolic pressure
- diastolic pressure
- pulse pressure
- mean arterial pressure

Answer 1

With a blood pressure reading of 130/70 mm Hg, the systolic pressure is 130 mm Hg, diastolic pressure is 70 mm Hg, pulse pressure is 60 mm Hg, and the mean arterial pressure (MAP) is approximately 90 mm Hg.

Step-by-step explanation:

The blood pressure of a patient is often represented as a ratio of the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure. If a patient's blood pressure is given as 130/70 mm Hg, here's how to calculate the values:

• Systolic pressure is the higher number representing the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, which is 130 mm Hg.
• Diastolic pressure is the lower number representing the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats, which is 70 mm Hg.
• Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures, calculated as 130 mm Hg - 70 mm Hg, equalling 60 mm Hg.
• Mean arterial pressure (MAP) is approximated by adding the diastolic pressure to one-third of the pulse pressure: MAP = 70 mm Hg + (60 mm Hg / 3), which equals approximately 90 mm Hg.

The mean arterial pressure represents the average force driving blood into vessels that serve the tissues.