Chapter 5: Blood Pressure

Why is Blood Pressure Measured?

  • A person’s blood pressure provides insight into the functioning of the body
  • Healthy body functioning is influenced by healthy blood pressure
  • The findings can provide information about the integrity of arteries and heart functioning, which can lead the healthcare provider to conduct additional assessments
  • High blood pressure can cause the arteries to become weak and damaged and cause the heart to become weak and enlarged
  • Low blood pressure can decrease perfusion of nutrients and oxygen to the body’s cells, influencing ability to function and potentially to cellular death
  • Chronic high blood pressure can contribute to conditions such as vascular disease, myocardial infarction, cerebral stroke, kidney disease, and dementia

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Vital Sign Measurement Across the Lifespan - 1st Canadian edition by Ryerson University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.