Lynn Lawrence, CPOT, ABOC

It can be a vascular disease The pressure that blood inside the vessels

are exerting on the walls of the vessels Can be constant or intermittent

Systolic – Pressure exerted on your vessels when the heart contracts and is pumping blood

Diastolic - Pressure exerted on your vessels when the heart is at rest

These can change throughout the day and activities have an impact too

Right Atria

LeftAtria

Right

VentricleLeft

Ventricle

Valve

Vein Artery

ArteriolesCapillary bed

Venules

Reducing body weightRestricting dietary saltDecreasing fatNot smokingAvoiding excess alcoholExercising regularlyDeveloping relaxing techniquesTaking medication as prescribe

It is the same as high blood pressure When your blood pressure is high, your heart must work harder to pump the same amount of blood through your arteries

This can damage your heart, kidneys, vessels and eyes

Major cause of cerebrovascular accident (stroke), cardiac disease, and renal failure

Primary is the most common type and it’s cause are unknown.

Secondary may be the result of renal vascular disease, renal parenchymal disease, Cushing’s syndrome, DM, dysfunction of the thyroid or adrenal gland, pregnancy, and some neurologic disorders

Head aches Blurred vision Chest pain Frequent night urination Nose bleeds Dizziness/fatigue Stroke…sudden death of tissue Heart attack Hypertensive retinopathy, hemorrhage,

exudates, papilledema, subconjunctival hemorrhages

Why is high blood pressure dangerous to a diabetic patient?

Why is high blood pressure dangerous to a diabetic patient?

a. Diabetes is a vascular disease and high pressure through weaken vessels is a bad combination

The kidneys play what role in blood pressure?

The kidneys play what role in blood pressure

A. Aids in maintaining pressure and volume by vasoconstriction, regulation of sodium, and fluid levels

Why is it important to ask about BP during a screening?

How about the family Hx?

Should I take blood pressure before or after I dilate my patient. Why?

Tools of the trade

Have the patient relax 20 minutes Arm should be at heart level Place the Blood Pressure Cuff on the arm◦ Above the elbow over the Brachial Artery

Select the correct cuff sizeHave the patient relax their arm.Find the Radial pulse.

Inflate the blood pressure cuff until you can no longer feel a pulse.

Then inflate 30mmHg more.At least 200mmHg

Place your stethoscope over the brachial artery.

Begin deflating the cuff slowly until you hear the pulse return.

This is your Systolic Pressure.

Listen until you no longer hear a pulse.

This is the Diastolic Pressure.

Systolic greater than 140*Diastolic greater than 90*Difference less than 30 between the Systolic and Diastolic Pressures.*

140/90210/120 severe hypertension

These are general guidelines and may differ from the guidelines that the provider you are employed by uses.

Blood Pressures are Documented as

Systolic / Diastolic

120 80

Using your index and middle fingers, apply gentle pressure at the Radial Artery.

Count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.

Striated hemorrhages in the fundus