Process Description: Taking Blood Pressure
Abstract
The process description focuses on the process of what happens when taking one’s blood pressure. A blood pressure test measures the pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps. The process is performed by doctors or medical assistants. The sphygmomanometer or blood pressure cuff is placed around your arm and as it is pumped, it causes blood flow in your arm to cease. As you release this pressure and blood flow proceeds, the Korotkoff sounds can be heard which are used in order to measure one’s blood pressure on the sphygmomanometer gauge. The Korotkoff sounds are heard in five different stages, K-1 through K-5. The K-1 phase provides the systolic blood pressure reading and the K-5 phase provides the diastolic pressure reading.
Process Description: Taking Blood Pressure
Description
A blood pressure test measures the pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps. The blood pressure test can be used to determine if you may have a higher risk of health problems in the future. A higher blood pressure reading indicates higher strain on the arteries including your heart which may lead to a stroke or heart attack.
Where it’s performed and Who performs it
The process takes place at almost every doctors office, hospital or medical center in the world. Every doctors visit usually begins with retrieving vitals of the patient where blood pressure is among those taken. The person retrieving the blood pressure is usually the medical assistant as the medical assistant is responsible for obtaining the vitals of the patient.
How the Process Works
A sphygmomanometer also known as a blood pressure cuff is a medical instrument used to measure a person’s blood pressure. It is used in
conjunction with a stethoscope in order to measure blood pressure. When the cuff is placed around your arm and is pumped up, what occurs is a stoppage in blood flow with the pressure given by the cuff. As the pressure in the cuff is released, blood starts flowing again allowing for the flow to be heard with the stethoscope which provides the blood pressure reading.
Korotkoff Sounds
A major key in providing the blood pressure reading of a person is the use of the Korotkoff sounds. Korotkoff Sounds are used to provide the systolic and diastolic readings. Korotkoff Sounds occur in 5 phases as K-1 through K-5.
K-1 phase is defined as the appearance of the clear “tapping” sounds where the first tapping sound heard is the systolic pressure reading or the numerator of the blood pressure reading.
K-2 phase sounds are softer and characterized by a swishing sound.
K-3 sounds are louder than those of K-1 sounds.
K-4 sounds are muffled as the blood begins to be released through the artery. Lastly during the K-5 phase, the sound completely disappears where the last sound heard is the diastolic pressure reading or the denominator of the blood pressure reading.
Citations:
“Why it matters.” Blood Pressure : Salt’s effects on your body. 2008. 25 Feb. 2019 <http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/microsites/u40/Home/facts/Whyitmatters>.
Contributors, HowStuffWorks.com. “How does a blood pressure gauge (sphygmomanometer) work? What exactly is blood pressure?” HowStuffWorks Science. 17 Apr. 2017. HowStuffWorks. 25 Feb. 2019 <https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/question146.htm>.
Maley, Cindy. “Intro to Blood Pressure.” American Diagnostic Corporation – Core Medical Device Manufacturer. Stethoscopes, Blood Pressure, Thermometry, and EENT. 2013. 06 Mar. 2019 <https://www.adctoday.com/blog/intro-blood-pressure>.
O, Judy. “Why does the narrowing of the arteries decrease blood flow but increase blood pressure? | Socratic.” Socratic.org. 2015. 06 Mar. 2019 <https://socratic.org/questions/why-does-the-narrowing-of-the-arteries-decrease-blood-ow-but-increase-blood-pres>.
