blood pressure (redirected from pulmonary wedge blood pressure)

pressure /pres·sure/ (P ) (presh´er) force per unit area.

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arterial pressure  blood p. (2).

blood pressure 

1. the pressure of blood against the walls of any blood vessel.

2. the pressure of blood on the walls of the arteries, dependent on the energy of the heart action, elasticity of the arterial walls, and volume and viscosity of the blood; the maximum or systolic pressure occurs near the end of the stroke output of the left ventricle, and the minimum or diastolic late in ventricular diastole.

central venous pressure  (CVP) the venous pressure as measured at the right atrium, done by means of a catheter introduced through the median cubital vein to the superior vena cava.

cerebrospinal pressure  the pressure or tension of the cerebrospinal fluid, normally 100–150 mm. as measured by the manometer.

detrusor pressure  the pressure exerted inwards by the detrusor urinae muscles of the bladder wall.

diastolic pressure , diastolic blood pressure see blood p.

end-diastolic pressure  the pressure in the ventricles at the end of diastole, usually measured in the left ventricle as an approximation of the end-diastolic volume, or preload.

intracranial pressure  (ICP) pressure of the subarachnoidal fluid.

intraocular pressure  the pressure exerted against the outer coats by the contents of the eyeball.

intravesical pressure  the pressure exerted on the contents of the urinary bladder; the sum of the intra-abdominal pressure from outside the bladder and the detrusor pressure.

maximum expiratory pressure  (MEP) a measure of the strength of respiratory muscles, obtained by having the patient exhale as strongly as possible against a mouthpiece; the maximum value is near total lung capacity.

maximum inspiratory pressure  (MIP) a measure of the strength of respiratory muscles, obtained by having the patient inhale as strongly as possible with the mouth against a mouthpiece; the maximum value is near the residual volume.

mean arterial pressure  (MAP) the average pressure within an artery over a complete cycle of one heartbeat.

mean circulatory filling pressure  a measure of the average (arterial and venous) pressure necessary to cause filling of the circulation with blood; it varies with blood volume and is directly proportional to the rate of venous return and thus to cardiac output.

negative pressure  pressure less than that of the atmosphere.

oncotic pressure  the osmotic pressure due to the presence of colloids in solution.

osmotic pressure  the pressure required to prevent osmosis through a semipermeable membrane between a solution and pure solvent; it is proportional to the osmolality of the solution. Symbol π.

partial pressure  the pressure exerted by each of the constituents of a mixture of gases.

positive pressure  pressure greater than that of the atmosphere.

positive end-expiratory pressure  (PEEP) a method of mechanical ventilation in which pressure is maintained to increase the volume of gas left in the lungs at the end of exhalation, reducing shunting of blood through the lungs and improving gas exchange.

pulmonary artery wedge pressure  (PAWP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) intravascular pressure as measured by a catheter wedged into the distal pulmonary artery ; used to measure indirectly the mean left atrial pressure.

pulse pressure  the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures.

systolic pressure , systolic blood pressure see blood p.

Valsalva leak point pressure  the amount of pressure on the bladder by a Valsalva maneuver at which leakage of urine occurs; a measure of strength of the urethral sphincters.

venous pressure  the pressure of blood in the veins.

wedge pressure  blood pressure measured by a small catheter wedged into a vessel, occluding it, e.g., pulmonary capillary wedge p.

wedged hepatic vein pressure  the venous pressure measured with a catheter wedged into the hepatic vein; used to locate the site of obstruction in portal hypertension.

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blood pressure

n.

Abbr. BP The pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries, maintained by the contraction of the left ventricle, the resistance of the arterioles and capillaries, the elasticity of the arterial walls, and by the viscosity and volume of the blood. Also called arteriotony.

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blood pressure (BP)

Etymology: AS, blod + L, premere, to press

the pressure exerted by the circulating volume of blood on the walls of the arteries and veins and on the chambers of the heart. Blood pressure is regulated by the homeostatic mechanisms of the body by the volume of the blood, the lumen of the arteries and arterioles, and the force of cardiac contraction. In the aorta and large arteries of a healthy young adult, blood pressure is approximately 120 mm Hg during systole and 70 mm Hg during diastole. See also hypertension, hypotension.

method The indirect blood pressure is most often measured by auscultation, using an aneroid or mercury sphygmomanometer, a stethoscope, and a blood pressure cuff. With the upper arm at the level of the heart, the cuff is placed around the upper arm and inflated to a pressure greater than the systolic pressure, occluding the brachial artery. The diaphragm of the stethoscope is placed over the artery in the antecubital space, and the pressure in the cuff is slowly released. No sound is heard until the cuff pressure falls below the systolic pressure in the artery; at that point a pulse is heard. As the cuff pressure continues to fall slowly, the pulse continues, first becoming louder, then dull and muffled. These sounds, called sounds of Korotkoff, are produced by turbulence of the blood flowing through a vessel that is partially occluded as the arterial pressure falls to the low pressure of diastole. When the cuff pressure is less than the diastolic pressure, no pulse is heard. Thus the cuff pressure at which the first sound is heard is the systolic blood pressure, indicative of the pressure in the large arteries during systole; the cuff pressure at which the sounds stop is the diastolic blood pressure, indicative of the pressure in the arteries during diastole. A variation of this method involves the use of palpation in place of auscultation in the antecubital space to determine the systolic pressure (the pressure at which a pulse is first palpated). Another variation uses a transducer in the cuff to translate changes in ultrasound frequency caused by blood movement within the artery to audible sounds. Blood pressure may be monitored directly by means of a strain gauge or mercury manometer after a cannula has been placed in an artery. The flush method is used when blood pressure is difficult to measure by other methods. The cuff is applied, and complete capillary emptying is performed, usually with an elastic bandage. The cuff is inflated, the elastic bandage is removed, and the earliest discernible flush is observed as the cuff is deflated. This method measures mean blood pressure.

interventions The intervals at which the patient's blood pressure is to be taken are specified. The pressure in both arms is taken the first time the procedure is performed; persistent major differences between the two readings is indicative of a vascular occlusion. Alternatively, the blood pressure may be taken using the thigh and the popliteal space when the leg is at the level of the heart. The width of the cuff should be one third to one half the circumference of the limb used. Thus, a larger cuff is required for a large patient or for any patient if the pressure is taken at the thigh.

outcome criteria Any factor that increases peripheral resistance or cardiac output increases the blood pressure. Therefore, it is important to obtain a blood pressure reading when the patient is at rest. Increased peripheral resistance usually increases the diastolic pressure, and increased cardiac output tends to increase the systolic pressure. Blood pressure increases with age, primarily as a result of the decreased distensibility of the veins. As a person grows older, an increase in systolic pressure precedes an increase in diastolic pressure.

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blood pressure,

n force applied by circulating blood on the walls of the blood vessels and on the chambers of the heart. The pressure in a healthy individual varies but is usually considered below 120 mm Hg during systole and 80 mm Hg during diastole in adults.

Blood pressure.

Category	Systolic (mm Hg)		Diastolic (mm Hg)
Optimal†	<120		<80
Normal	<130		<85
High normal	130–139		85–89
Hypertension‡
Stage 1 (mild)	140–159	or	90–99
Stage 2 (moderate)	160–179	or	100–109
Stage 3 (severe)	≥180	or	≥110

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blood pressure,

n the pressure exerted on the arterial walls by the blood when the heart is in systole (systolic pressure), and the pressure maintained by the elasticity of the arteries when the heart is in diastole (diastolic pressure). A consistent arterial pressure greater than 120 over 80 is considered high and suggestive of hypertensive vascular disease. See also hypertension, systole, diastole.

blood pressure classification,

n the rating system for blood pressure levels in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), given as the systolic over the diastolic pressure. Both the systolic and diastolic pressure, if at increased levels, are indicators of concern for cardiovascular problems. Normal is less than 120 over 80; prehypertension is 120-139 over 80-89, stage 1 hypertension is 140-159 over 90-99; stage 2 hypertension is 159 or higher over 99 or higher. See also hypertension.

blood pressure, diastolic,

n the pressure in the bloodstream when the heart relaxes and dilates, filling with blood. See also blood pressure; blood, pressure, stages; and diastole.

blood pressure, systolic,

n the pressure exerted on the bloodstream by the heart when it contracts, forcing blood from the ventricles of the heart into the pulmonary artery and the aorta. See also blood pressure; blood, pressure, stages; and systole.

blood pressure cuff,

n a part of a sphygmomanometer that fits over the patient's arm. It comes in four sizes, for children up to obese adults. It should be made of a nonelastic material, and the cuff used should be about 20% bigger than the arm it fits over–an undersized cuff will cause the blood pressure reading to appear higher than it is in reality, whereas an oversized cuff will cause the reading to appear too low.

blood pressure stages,

n any of the three stages of hypertension marked by elevated blood pressure. Stage I is 140-159 over 90-99; Stage II is 160-179 over 100-109; Stage III is 180-209 over 110-119.

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blood pressure

the pressure of the blood in the blood vessels. The term usually refers to the pressure of the blood within the arteries, or arterial blood pressure. This pressure is determined by several interrelated factors, including the pumping action of the heart, the resistance to the flow of blood in the arterioles, the elasticity of the walls of the main arteries, the blood volume and extracellular fluid volume, and the blood's viscosity, or thickness.

Relatively simple Doppler instruments can provide accurate blood pressure measurements in dogs and cats. The systolic pressure in dogs is 132±22 mmHg; in cats it is 108±23 mmHg. Thoroughbreds have been shown to be 112/77 mmHg. Indwelling catheters can be used in dogs to monitor central venous pressure.

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arterial blood pressure

the common measure of blood pressure. The measurement in animal patients must be by a method that does not require entrance to an artery, i.e. noninvasive. Standard methods use an inflatable cuff around a limb, around the tail in the horse, and measurement of the air pressure required to obliterate the pulse wave—the systolic blood pressure, and permit the re-entry of the pulse wave—the diastolic blood pressure.

blood pressure homeostasis

the maintenance of a steady state of blood pressure. The mechanisms involved include the baroreceptor mechanism, the chemoreceptor mechanism, the ischemic response of the central nervous system (the Cushing response), the renin-angiotensin vasoconstrictor and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, the capillary fluid-shift mechanism, the regulation of body fluid level by the kidney and the stress-relaxation mechanism of the arterial wall.

blood pressure impedance

the resistance to pulsatile flow, as in arteries.

pulmonary wedge blood pressure

see wedge pressure.

blood pressure regulation

the complex regulatory system which controls arterial blood pressure is dependent on sensory inputs related to cardiac output, peripheral resistance to blood flow at the arterioles, the viscosity of the blood, the volume of blood in the arterial system, the elasticity of the arterial walls. Changes in blood pressure are brought about by the control exerted on the same physiological mechanisms.

venous blood pressure

see central venous pressure.

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sphygmomanometer 

An instrument for measuring the arterial blood pressure. There are various types, the most common consisting of an inflatable cuff that is placed around the upper arm (usually the left) and air pressure within the cuff is balanced against the pressure of the blood in the brachial artery. The pressure is estimated by means of a mercury or an aneroid manometer. A stethoscope is normally used in conjunction with the instrument to listen to the blood pressure sounds (a stethoscope is not needed with an electronic sphygmomanometer). Normal systolic and diastolic blood pressures in a young adult are about 120/80, respectively. The difference between the two pressures is called the pulse pressure. Blood pressure varies with age, gender, altitude, disease, stress, fear, excitement, exercise, etc. A normal range for systolic pressure is usually considered to be 100-140 mmHg and for diastolic pressure below 90 mmHg. See arteriosclerosis; hypertension; hypertensive retinopathy.

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blood pressure

Cardiology The force that blood in the circulation exerts on arterial walls, 2º to myocardial contraction in response to various demands–eg, exercise, stress, sleep, which is divided into systolic–due to heart contractions and diastolic–relaxation phases; BP varies with age and sex Rule of thumb for normal systolic BP–Adults BP = 100 + age; Children BP = 2 x age + 80; Diastolic BP should be ±²/₃ Normal BP 120/80 mm Hg. See Hypertension, Hypotension, Sphygmomanometer–blood pressure cuff.

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Patient discussion about pulmonary wedge blood pressure.

Q. What Is the Treatment for Hypertension? I have a slightly elevated blood pressure. What is the initial possible treatment?

A. There are several medications that are used for hypertension. You have to check up with your doctor to get the right medications which best suits you. Here are few medications that are used in the treatment of high blood pressure
Generic Accupril (Quinapril hydrochloride)
Generic Aldactone (Spironolactone)
Generic Altace (Ramipril)
Generic Atenolol-Chlorthalidone
Generic Avapro (Irbesartan)
Generic Betoptic (Betaxolol)
Generic Bisoprolol (Bisoprolol Fumarate)
Generic Caduet (Amlodipine)
Generic Calan (Verapamil)
Generic Capoten (Captopril)
Generic Lisinopril
Generic Lisinopril-HCTZ
Generic Lopressor (Metoprolol)
Generic Lotensin (Benazepril)
Generic Lotrel (Benazepril and amlodipine)
Generic Lozol (Indapamide)
Generic Micardis HCT (Telmisartan - hydrochlorothiazide)
Generic Microzide (Hydrochlorothiazide)
Generic Monopril there are still lot more medications used

You can find information the side effects of these drugs at
http://www.internationaldrugmart.com/pri

Q. What are good items to replace salt with for cooking? My Dad has highblood pressure and we'd like to start using products that have no salt/sodium to add to cooking for adding taste. Like Mrs. Dash

A. Don't really deal with these issues myself, but I found a website with tips, recipes, list of stores etc. about salt-free food (http://www.lowsodiumcooking.com/free/Sources.htm(.

Also, in Amazon there're several options also (http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A3601141%2Cp_n_feature_browse-bin%3A114310011&page=1).

Q. My father is suffering from high blood pressure and liver problem. I’m looking for help. My father is suffering from high blood pressure and liver problem. While searching the web I came to know of Chinese medicine. I like to try Chinese herbs to get rid of his entire problem. But I have a great confusion and no clear idea of Chinese medicine? Do you have any suggestions? I would really appreciate any help.

A. I prefer Justin's answer, you SHOULD always consult anything with your medical doctor. I never say that Chinese Medicine is bad, but the only lack is a lot of western-knowledge-based medical doctors are :
1. don't understand how chinese medicine works (because they cannot understand the language)
2. don't believe it because there are only few (or even none) published studies like clinical trial to have a evidence-based-medication

So, often chinese medicine can be combined with western medication, but for this you SHOULD contact your doctor and discuss that with him/her.

I have an experience of a patient with cancer, that believed too much on chinese medicine, and she rejected being treated with hospital standard procedure, the next 2 months, she died of that cancer. (the explanation is either the chinese medicine was totally wrong for this patient, or chinese medicine is not enough to treat that cancer alone)