Blood pressureAlmost everyone knows that blood pressure is one of the most important measurements in medicine. Every time a patient visits a physician's office or hospital, one of the first measurements taken is their blood pressure. Since blood pressure plays such a vital role in monitoring a person's overall health, I thought I would write about the basics of blood pressure and some of the terminology used in blood pressure measurement.

  • K-1 (Phase 1): The appearance of the clear "tapping" sounds as the cuff is gradually deflated. The first clear "tapping" sound is defined as the systolic pressure.
  • K-2 (Phase 2): The sounds in K-2 become softer and longer and are characterized by a swishing sound since the blood flow in the artery increases.
  • K-3 (Phase 3): The sounds become crisper and louder in K-3 which is similar to the sounds heard in K-1.
  • K-4 (Phase 4): As the blood flow starts to become less turbulent in the artery, the sounds in K-4 are muffled and softer.
  • K-5 (Phase 5): In K-5, the sounds disappear completely since the blood flow through the artery has returned to normal. The last audible sound is defined as the diastolic pressure.

K-sounds

http://www.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/teaching/undergrad/projects/2003/group_03/how.html

Top number (systolic) in mm Hg   Bottom number (diastolic) in mm Hg Your category* What to do**
Below 120 and Below 80 Normal blood pressure Maintain or adopt a health lifestyle
120-139 or 80-89 Prehypertension Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. If blood pressure goal isn't reached in about six months, talk to your doctor about taking one or more medications.
140-159 or 90-99 Stage 1 hypertension Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. If blood pressure goal isn't reached in about six months, talk to your doctor about taking one or more medications.
160 or more or 100 or more Stage 2 hypertension Maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about taking more than one medication.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-pressure/HI00043

References:

American Heart Association: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2010 Update. http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1265665152970DS-3241%20HeartStrokeUpdate_2010.pdf

Pickering, T.G., Hall J.E., Appel L.J., Falkner B.E., Graves J., Hill M.N., Jones D.W., Kurtz T., Sheps S.G, Roccella E. J. Recommendations for Blood Pressure Measurement in Humans and Experimental Animals: Part 1: Blood Pressure Measurement in Humans: A Statement for Professionals From the Subcommittee of Professional and Public Education of the American Heart Association Council on High Blood Pressure Research. Hypertension 2005 (45):142-161.