Measuring
Blood Pressure In The Lowest Extremities
Sidney
Aung
Biomed
Science Research Program
Mr.Hyke
Abstract
My
research explores the validity and practical uses of measuring blood
pressures in the lower extremities instead of the more commonly known
medical procedure of measuring blood pressure in the upper
extremities. Situations in which measuring blood pressure in the
lower extremities would be useful and practical in patients where
upper extremity blood pressures cannot be measured accurately in
cases such as external compression, tumors, and presences of AV
shunts. I tested 15 participants for their upper and lower
extremities twice, and my results were valid with my hypothesis. The
difference between the upper and lower extremity blood pressures was
less than 10 mm Hg. This shows that the method I used for measuring
BP in the lower extremities was acceptable, and reliable.
Purpose
The
purpose of my experiment is to compare the results of measuring blood
pressure in the lower extremities to the results of measuring it in
the upper extremities.
Background Information
Blood
pressure is theforce of blood against the walls of yours arteries.
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers: the systolic number as the
heart beats and the diastolic number as the heart rests.The device
used to measure blood pressure is known as the sphygmomanometer. It
has an inflatable cuff attached to restrict blood flow and a mercury
manometer is used to measure the pressure. Values are read in “mm
Hg.”Read with systolic number on top and diastolic number on
bottom. Normal blood pressure is 90-120 mmHg systolic and 60-80 mmHg
diastolic. Blood pressure usually falls and rises during the day and
High blood pressure(hypertension) is when blood pressure stays
elevated over time. High blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg and above.
High blood pressure often has no warning signs. Anyone, regardless of
race, age, or gender can develop HBP and once hypertension develops,
it usually lasts a lifetime. Hypertension increases risk of
heart/kidney diseases, and stroke. It is also associated with
atherosclerosis and can cause congestive heart failure, and
blindness. It is also usually accompanied with an increased risk of
heart attack.
Hypothesis
My
hypothesis is that the measurement of blood pressure in both the
lower and upper extremities will essentially be the same or very
close(within 10) if measured correctly.
Materials
Sphygmomanometer
Attached
Cuff
Paper
Pencil
Participants(Age
16-20)
Procedure/methodology
Upper
Extremities BP measuring:
Have
participant sit upright in a chair with feet flat on floor and limbs
uncrossed.
Arm
rested on table to be at heart level.
place
the cuff on bare upper arm, one inch above the bend of elbow.
Evenly
tighten the cuff.
Take
blood pressure twice and took average.
Lower
Extremities BP measuring:
Have
participant lay down flat in order for the leg to be at heart level.
Placed
cuff on the leg.
Evenly
tighten the cuff.
Take
blood pressure twice and took average.
Data
Collection/Results
|
|
Upper extremities
(diastolic/systolic)
|
Lower extremities
(diastolic/systolic)
|
|
Participant 1
|
114.5/51.5 mmHg
|
121/63 mmHg
|
|
Participant 2
|
109/74 mmHg
|
126/69 mmHg
|
|
Participant 3
|
110.5/69 mmHg
|
103/41.5 mmHg
|
|
Participant 4
|
113.5/54.5 mmHg
|
125/54 mmHg
|
|
Participant 5
|
125/49 mmHg
|
130/37.5 mmHg
|
|
Participant 6
|
132.5/62 mmHg
|
129.5/53.5 mmHg
|
|
Participant 7
|
117.5/57 mmHg
|
125/49.5 mmHg
|
|
Participant 8
|
118/65.5 mmHg
|
127/46.5 mmHg
|
|
|
Upper Extremities
(diastolic/systolic)
|
Lower Extremities
(diastolic/systolic)
|
|
Participant 9
|
121/65.5 mmHg
|
127/54 mmHg
|
|
Participant 10
|
129.5/49.5 mmHg
|
124.5/71 mmHg
|
|
Participant 11
|
110/62 mmHg
|
114/67.5 mmHg
|
|
Participant 12
|
127/74.5 mmHg
|
120.5/57.5 mmHg
|
|
Participant 13
|
120/63.5 mmHg
|
122.5/61.5 mmHg
|
|
Participant 14
|
119/62.5 mmHg
|
124.5/56 mmHg
|
|
Participant 15
|
122/62.5 mmHg
|
120.5/48 mmHg
|
The
average blood pressure was 119.3 mmHg diastolic and 61.5 mmHg
systolic for the upper extremities while the average was 116 mmHg
systolic and 55.3 mmHg diastolic for the lower extremities.
Analysis
The data I collected from
the participants and their respective blood pressure measurements
demonstrated fascinating information to me. It showed that measuing
blood pressure in the lower extremities of the body is not only
practical, but efficient and reliable. I cannot say this for sure
unless I perform future experiments that produce similar results, but
from what I can infer, it is an efficient method of measuring blood
pressure. This method can be used in hospitals and medical facilities
and should be incoorporated in those institutes once further
researched upon.
Conclusion
My
hypothesis was correct, and the difference between the upper and
lower extremity blood pressures was less than 10 mm Hg. This shows
that the method I used for measuring BP in the lower extremities was
acceptable, and reliable.
Possible Sources of
Error
Incorrect
positioning of participants
Irregular
breathing
Talking/laughing/distractions
Adrenaline
Incorrect
data input
Acknowledgements
I'd like to acknowledge
Dr.Su Hline, family, friends and Mr hyke.
References
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/how-to-measure-blood
