4.2 Heart and Blood Tests

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Overview

Measure heart rate manually and with the help of computer probes and software.

A heart beat is caused by the contraction of muscle cells and results in the movement of blood from the heart to the arteries and the rest of the body

Heart rate using pressure waves from heart

EKG-Electrocardiogram

Blood Pressure using sphygmomanometer and stethoscope

Heart Rate

Every heartbeat send blood through your vessels to your tissues which causes a pulse. By feeling these pulses, the number of heartbeats be minute can be counted.

Increase heart rate- Exercise

Decrease heart rate- Rest

EKG

Stands for electrocardiogram

An electrical energy is what directs and choreographs the rhythmic beating of your heart, an EKG measures this to be sure it is beating regularly.

Can show...

Irregular heartbeat

Irregular speed of contractions

Angina (chest pain that can indicate tissue damage)

Tissue death (Heart attack)

Below is a chart of one heart beat during an EKG. An electrical current from the SA node causes the heart to beat (during the complex).

Blood Pressure

Caused by the movement of blood through the vessels in your body, veins, and arteries.

Measures the force applied to the arterial walls as the heart pumps blood.

High blood pressure can be dangerous and fatal if not treated.

Raised by...

Activity

Diet

Temperature

Emotional state

Body position

Medication Use

Overall Health

Systolic and Diastolic

Systolic- amount of pressure in the arteries at the time the heart beats. It is the top number on a blood pressure reading.

Diastolic- amount of pressure in the arteries in between heart beats (when the muscle is resting and refilling with blood). The bottom number on a blood pressure reading.