BIO FPX 1000 Assessment 1 Cardiovascular System Lab BIO FPX 1000 Human Biology
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Date
Cardiovascular System Lab
Explain what blood pressure means
Blood pressure is a measure of the effort the heart exerts to circulate blood throughout the body. Normal blood pressure levels range between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure is identified when readings are 140/90 mmHg or higher, while low blood pressure is defined as 90/60 mmHg or below. Elevated blood pressure significantly increases the risk of various long-term health conditions, including coronary heart disease and kidney disease. Additionally, certain medications may lower blood pressure as a side effect. Other underlying conditions, such as dehydration and heart failure, can also contribute to low blood pressure (Fuchs & Whelton, 2020).
Explain what heart rate measures
Heart rate refers to the number of times the heart beats per minute. The body naturally adjusts the heart rate based on a person’s activities and surrounding environment. This explains why heart rate increases during physical activity, excitement, or fear and decreases during relaxation, calm, or comfort. The typical resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). An abnormal heart rate occurs when the heart beats too quickly (over 100 bpm) or too slowly (under 60 bpm). Abnormal heart rhythms can lead to inefficient blood pumping, reducing the body’s ability to circulate blood and resulting in decreased oxygen delivery to various organs, potentially causing harm (Forte et al., 2019).
Explain the correlation between heart rate and blood pressure
Heart rate and blood pressure do not always increase simultaneously. While heart rate can rise rapidly, blood pressure does not necessarily follow the same pattern. Healthy blood vessels can expand to accommodate increased blood flow, even if the heart is beating more frequently. For example, during exercise, the heart beats faster to supply more blood to the muscles, and while heart rate may double safely, blood pressure might only slightly increase (Yang et al., 2020). An irregular resting heart rate may indicate an arrhythmia, a condition affecting heart rate. Atrial fibrillation, a common arrhythmia, can cause a high and erratic resting heart rate, increasing the risk of stroke. Heart block, a condition where certain electrical circuits in the heart malfunction, can slow the heart’s pumping efficiency or cause it to skip beats, leading to symptoms like fatigue or fainting (Schwartz et al., 2020). The term “silent killer” is often used to describe high blood pressure due to its lack of symptoms despite its dangerous nature. Over time, untreated high blood pressure can significantly increase the risk of heart attack or stroke (Griendling et al., 2021).
Evaluate cardiovascular results in patients
| Patient | Age | Presenting Complaint | Blood Pressure Test | Heart Rate Test | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorraine Pate | 36 | Routine physical exam | 115/75 mmHg – Ideal blood pressure | 66-72 bpm – Normal heart rate | Lorraine has normal blood pressure and heart rate. |
| Tanya Cainen | 40 | Routine physical exam | 140/100 mmHg – Stage 2 high blood pressure | 80 bpm at rest, increased to 150 bpm after exercise, and decreased to 130 bpm after 5 minutes of rest. Heart rate should drop to 120 bpm or below after 5 minutes of rest. | Tanya has high blood pressure and her heart rate does not normalize after exercise. Lifestyle changes such as regular physical activity, dietary adjustments, reducing salt intake, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking are recommended for managing her condition (Chang et al., 2020; Dikalov et al., 2019; Fantin et al., 2019; Puddey et al., 2019). |
Conclusion
Blood pressure measures the heart’s effort to pump blood throughout the body, with an ideal range between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. Heart rate is the number of heartbeats per minute, typically ranging from 60 to 100 bpm in adults. Abnormal blood pressure, whether high or low, can be managed through lifestyle changes, which are essential for maintaining cardiovascular health.
References
Chang, H., Cheng, H., Chen, C., Wang, T., Soenarta, A. A., Turana, Y., Teo, B. W., Tay, J. C., Tsoi, K., Wang, J., & Kario, K. (2020). Dietary intervention for the management of hypertension in Asia. The Journal of Clinical Hyperte