Blood Pressure Lab Report PDF

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The Effects of Position on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Levels Riya Patel BIOL 3330 DA2 February 7. 2019 Lab Partners: Emily Kehs, Brianna Aguilar, Emily Udvardy, Gabriela Diaz, Jennie Abraham

Introduction Blood pressure is the flow of blood against the walls of the arteries as it circulates through the body (Amerman, 2013). It is initiated by the contraction of the ventricles of the heart. As the ventricles contract, it ejects blood into the major arteries, resulting in flow from high pressure regions to low pressure regions. The force exerted by blood due to gravitational pull is known as hydrostatic pressure, or blood pressure (Openstax, 2013). It is usually measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). It is taken in two measurements: systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure is the peak blood pressure and occurs during ventricular systole, or when blood pumps out of the heart. The minimum blood pressure is called diastolic pressure, which is the pressure at the end of ventricular diastole, or when the heart is resting between beats. The normal range of systolic and diastolic pressure in adult human beings is 120/80 mmHg. The most common site for blood pressure readings is the brachial artery. Hypertension, or high blood pressure occurs when the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. It is usually caused by factors such as age, eating and smoking habits, activity, and family history, etc. A person has elevated blood pressure levels when the systolic pressure is between 120-129 mmHg and the diastolic pressure is less than 80 mmHg (Amerman, 2013). Hypertension starts when the systolic pressure is between 130-139 mmHg or the diastolic is 80-89 mmHg. Critical hypertension is when the systolic pressure is above 180 mmHg and the diastolic pressure is higher than 120 mmHg. In those situations, a doctor must be consulted immediately (Marcin, 2018).

Hypotension, the opposite of hypertension, occurs when blood isn’t flowing with enough force. A person that has a systolic pressure less than 90 mmHg and a diastolic pressure less than 60 mmHg is considered to be hypotensive (Nordqvist, 2017). Hypotension can be caused by many things, such as medicine, family history, hormonal problems, anesthesia, etc. In this experiment, the blood pressure and heart rate of 6 female participants will be taken in three different positions on both the right and left arm. The brachial artery will be used for the measurements. The purpose of the experiment is to find out if different positions have an effect on the blood pressure and heart rate levels. It is hypothesized that the different positions will not have an effect on the results.

Materials and Methods The experiment was performed on January 31, 2019 at the Parker Science Annex from 11:07am to 11:40am. The temperature in the room was precisely 72.5 °F. There were 6 participants: Emily Kehs, Brianna Aguilar, Riya Patel, Gabriela Diaz, Jennie Abraham, and Emily Udvardy. Table 4-2 provides the demographics for each participant and factors that may affect the blood pressure reading of each participant. To begin with, the demographics of each participant and the location were recorded. Each participant was required to wear a t-shirt, so that it would be easier to put on the blood pressure cuff. Two semi-automatic sphygmomanometers were used in this experiment. The seated blood pressure was recorded first. Each participant was paired up and the first partner was required to sit straight for 90 seconds with their arm resting on the table. The blood pressure cuff was placed on the right arm right above the elbow with the arrow pointing directly to right brachial artery.

Then the blood pressure cuff was inflated and the systolic, diastolic pressure and the heart rate were recorded. The same procedure was done on the left arm while the participant was seated. The left seated systolic, diastolic pressure and heart rate were recorded. After recording the seated blood pressure and heart rate on both arms of one participant, the other partner was seated and the same procedure was done. After recording the seated blood pressure, the standing blood pressure and heart rate were recorded using the same technique. Each partner was required to stand up for 90 seconds, then the right arm blood pressure and heart rate were recorded, then the left arm. After recording the standing blood pressure and heart rate, the supine recordings were taken. For the supine recordings, each partner was required to lay down on the table for 90 seconds with their arm resting straight and their palms facing up. After 90 seconds, the blood pressure cuff was placed on the right arm and inflated. After recording the numbers, the same procedure was done on the left arm. The systolic and diastolic pressures and heart rate were recorded for each partner. After gathering all the information from each pair in the group, the MAP, or mean arterial pressure, was calculated for the seated position. The formula used for calculating the MAP was 1/3 (Systolic-Diastolic pressure) + Diastolic pressure. The independent variable in this experiment was the position of the participant when the blood pressure was taken. The dependent variable was the level of blood pressure and heart rate that were recorded. The controls of the experiment were the time, date, location, and temperature of the room. Other factors that influenced the temperature readings were demographics of each participant, such as height, weight, co-morbidity, etc.

Results Table 4-1: Blood Pressure and MAP Results in mmHg Participant’s Initials

Seated R arm

Seated L arm

Standing R arm

Standing L arm

Supine R arm

Supine L arm

MAP R arm

Systolic/ Diastolic/ Heart Rate EK

102

70

71

91

66

68

BA

102

70

64

67

64

RP

117

89

84

10 3 110

85

82

GDT

95

72

76

97

70

73

JA

122

73

106

86

117

EU

91

62

68

12 1 90

58

60

MAP L arm

Seated

10 5 111

75

75

102

74

72

104

70

62

78

63

108

69

65

112

74

61

12 3 10 2 12 1 10 1

94

91

124

96

91

117

84

75

71

81

106

75

78

117

70

70

84

111

117

86

90

118

77

105

63

66

94

60

71

93

57

60

10 1 119 12 3 12 0 12 0 90

66

58

76

64

88

86

78

67

83

91

67

57

80.6 7 80.6 7 98.3 3 79.6 7 89.3 3 71.6 7

74.33 79.00 93.33 79.00 97.67 68.67

Table 4-2: Blood Pressure Participant Demographics Initials BA

Gender Female

Age 21

Height 5’4

Weight (lbs) 115

R/L Handed Right

Athletic No

Co-Morbidity Slightly anemic

GDT

Female

18

5’4

115

Right

No

N/A

RP

Female

20

5’3

140

Right

No

Slightly anemic

EK

Female

19

5’3

107

Right

No

Low BP

JA

Female

19

5’6

140

Right

Yes

N/A

EU

Female

20

5’3

105

Right

Yes

N/A

Figure 1: Mean Arterial Pressure in the Right and Left Arms Mean Arterial Pressure (mmHg)

120 100 80 60 40 20 0

Right Arm

Left Arm Arm

EK

BA

RP

GDT

JA

EU

Figure 2: Blood Pressure and Heart Rate for the Right Arm 120

Measurement (mmHg)

100

80

60

40

20

0

EK

BA

102 102 117 95 122 91 105 111 Systolic Diastolic Heart Rate 123 102 121 101 104 112 117 117

RP

GDT Participants

JA

EU

Discussion In this experiment, the blood pressures and heart rates of 6 female participants were taken in three different positions: seated, standing, and supine. They were taken by using a semiautomatic sphygmomanometer and the brachial artery on both arms was the primary location used for the measurements. This experiment tested to see if different demographics such as weight, height, age, athletic ability and co-morbidity had an effect on the blood pressure and heart rate readings of the participants. Overall, the participants in the group had very similar demographics. All 6 participants were female, 18-21 years old. Their height ranged from 5’3”- 5’6” in feet/inches, and their weight was from 107 lbs- 140 lbs. Everybody was right-handed, and only two girls from the group were athletic. Three participants from the group stated that they had co-morbidity or health issues, such as borderline anemia and low blood pressure (hypotension). This demographic factor would have the greatest effect on blood pressure readings because previous health conditions such as hypotension and anemia can lower the readings. Some of the other demographics did not cause a big difference between readings in the group because they are similar. The demographic with least effect would be right or left-handedness. After taking the blood pressure and heart rates for each participant, the results were compared. Overall, most of the participants were in the normal range for blood pressure and heart rate. Four of the participants, however, had results that were on the higher and lower ends of the range. For example, Riya Patel had systolic and diastolic pressures that were on the higher end of the normal range, and Jennie Abraham had elevated blood pressure and heart rate. Emily Kehs, Brianna Aguilar and Emily Udvardy had low blood pressures and heart rates. When asked about the causes, Riya Patel stated that her family had a history of elevated blood pressure levels,

and was slightly anemic. Jennie Abraham stated that she had coffee before coming to class, which could have resulted in higher blood pressure and heart rate. Emily Kehs stated she had hypotension due to a medical condition, and Emily Udvardy is an athlete, so her blood pressure and heart rate are low due to daily exercise and conditioning. These conditions have a great effect on the readings because there are many factors involved in blood pressure and heart rate. For example, coffee is a stimulant of the central nervous system and can cause elevated heart rate and blood pressure. Its effects last up to 6 hours after ingesting, which can explain Jennie’s high levels (University Health Science). In Riya’s case, a family history of hypertension can definitely cause high blood pressure levels. In addition, anemia can result in high blood pressure because the body is pushing blood at a faster rate to compensate for the lack of oxygen (Phillips, 2017). Hypertension and hypotension were seen in the results of some of the participants. Some of them already knew about their condition and were on treatments to regulate the levels. For example, Emily Kehs was taking medication to regulate hypotension. Some common medications that are used to treat hypotension are fludrocortisone, which promotes sodium retention in the kidneys, and midrodine, which activates receptors on the smallest arteries and veins (Morelli). For hypertension, medications that are diuretics, beta blockers, and ace inhibitors, vasodilators, and calcium-channel blockers (Morelli). Other treatments such as exercise and diet also can help regulate blood pressure levels. The mean arterial pressure of each individual was also calculated. The following formula was used: 1/3 (Systolic – Diastolic pressure) + Diastolic pressure. The results came out to be between 70 mmHg – 100 mmHg. MAP is important because it makes sure that there is enough blood flow, resistance and pressure to supply blood to all the major organs (Healthline:MAP).

The normal range for MAP is between 70 mmHg- 100 mmHg, and the results for the group fall within that range. This means that everybody is under normal conditions for MAP. The results for blood pressure and heart rate for each arm in different positions were recorded and analyzed. Overall, there was not much difference in the levels of blood pressure when the participant was in different positions. The demographics of the participants had a greater effect on blood pressure and heart rate levels than the position of the participant. Therefore, the hypothesis was supported, and it was concluded that the blood pressure levels were not affected by position.

Literature Cited o Amerman, E. C. (2013). Exploring Anatomy and Physiology in the Laboratory. Englewood, CO: Morton Pub. o Marcin, Judith. (2018, January 26), Blood Pressure Readings Explained. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/blood-pressurereading-explained#stage-2 o Mean Arterial Pressure: Normal, Low, High Readings Plus Treatment. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/mean-arterial-pressure#normal-map o Morelli, J. (n.d.). High Blood Pressure Medications List and Side Effects. Retrieved from https://www.rxlist.com/high_blood_pressure_hypertension_medications/drugscondition.htm o Nordqvist, C. (2017, December 22). Hypotension: Symptoms, causes, and prevention.

Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159609.php o OpenStax. (2013, March 06). Retrieved from https://opentextbc.ca/anatomyandphysiology/ chapter/20-2-blood-flow-blood-pressure-and-resistance/ o Phillips, Q. (2017, October 25). The Facts About Iron-Deficiency Anemia and Your Heart. Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/anemia/iron-deficiency-anemia/heart/ o University Health Service. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.uhs.umich.edu/caffeine...