Heart & Arteries Essay

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Introduction

Blood pressure is the tension within an artery. Blood pressure is also referred to as the force put upon arteries by blood. The measurement of blood pressure is classified as both diastolic and systolic pressures. Systolic pressure occurs during the contraction of the heart. Diastolic pressure is when the heart, after contraction, returns to a resting state between beats. When blood pressure is taken, two numbers are given as a result. The top number is the systolic reading and the bottom is the diastolic reading. An example of a of a blood pressure reading would be 116/78, which would be a normal heart rate for an adult. The normality range of blood pressure is roughly around 120/80 (Mayo Clinic, 2010.)
Pulse pressure is the force that your heart generates as it contracts each time it beats. Pulse pressure is measured by taking the reading of your blood pressure and taking the difference of the top number, systolic, and the bottom number, diastolic. If your blood pressure were to read 116/78, like the example used above, your pulse pressure would be 38. Any reading of around 40 is considered normal(Mayo Clinic, 2010.) Although it is considered abnormal, if your pulse pressure were to be higher, that can mean your heart’s valves are leaky(Mayo Clinic, 2009.) A reading far below 40 indicates poor heart function(Mayo Clinic, 2009.)
Blood pressure is far more important than people think. Blood pressure keeps the brain and many other important organs, such as the heart, to continue functioning properly. It is important to keep track of one’s blood pressure to make sure it is not too high or low. Blood pressure gives you the idea of the workings of someone’s circulatory system (Encyclopedia,1997). Having a blood pressure is essential when trying to maintain homeostasis.
The importance of homeostasis is to maintain a steady equilibrium by adjusting its physiological process (Dictionary, 2011). There are a numerous amount of health complications that go hand in hand with having too high of blood pressure, or hypertension. Three of the main health complications that go along with high blood pressure are to have an aneurysm, heart attack, and stroke. Not only is hypertension is taxing on the heart, but it gradually damages other vital parts of the body such as eyes, kidneys, brain, and blood vessels (AARP, 2011). Too low of blood pressure, or hypotension, occurs when during and after each heartbeat blood
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