How To Calculate Mean Arterial Pressure 14 Steps With Pictures

If you’re not sure of how to take your own blood pressure, consult the section below for step-by-step instructions or see our article on the subject. Another option is to use the automatic blood pressure machines that are available for free at many pharmacies and grocery stores.

Note that the diastolic pressure is multiplied by two because the cardiac system spends about two-thirds of its time in the “resting” diastole phase. [3] X Research source For example, let’s say that we take our blood pressure and find that we have a diastolic pressure of about 87 and a systolic pressure of about 120. In this case, we’d plug our values into our equation and solve as follows: MAP = (2(87) + 120)/3 = (294)/3 = 98 mm Hg.

Using the same blood pressure values as above, we can solve this equation as follows: MAP = 1/3(120 – 87) + 87 = 1/3(33) + 87 = 11 + 87 = 98 mm Hg.

For the average female, normal cardiac output is about 5 L/min. If we assume an SVR of 20 mm HG × min/L (on the high end of normal levels), the female’s MAP will be about 5 × 20 = 100 mm Hg.

Note that an MAP of below 60 is generally considered dangerous. As noted above, MAP is used to determine how well blood is reaching the organs — an MAP value of greater than 60 is usually required for adequate perfusion. [5] X Research source

Patients with head injuries Patients with certain types of aneurysm Patients suffering from septic shock who are on vasopressors Patients on vasodilator (GTN) infusion

If you’re having a hard time, try using your stethoscope to listen for your pulse. When you hear a light, regular “bump”, you’ve found the right spot.

As you do this, hold the head of your stethoscope to the spot where you found your pulse (or, if you couldn’t find it, in the crook of your elbow). Listen — if you’ve inflated your cuff to a high enough pressure, you shouldn’t be able to hear your pulse at this point.

As soon as the pressure in the cuff is the same as your systolic pressure, blood can flow underneath the cuff during each of the heart’s “pumps”. This is why we use the pressure on the gauge during the first audible beat as the value for systolic pressure.

As soon as the pressure in the cuff is the same as your diastolic pressure, blood can flow underneath the cuff even when the heart isn’t pumping. This is why you can no longer hear pulses at this point and why we use the pressure on the gauge after the final heart beat as the value for diastolic pressure.

Being nervous or stressed out Having eaten recently Having exercised recently Tobacco, alcohol, or drug use Note that if you have a consistently high blood pressure, you should contact your doctor (even if you feel fine). This can be a sign of hypertension (high blood pressure) or prehypertension, which can eventually develop into harmful conditions. You can use some herbs if you have high blood pressure. The main herbs used in lowering blood pressure are cinnamon, garlic, ginger, basil, fenugreek seeds, hawthorn, and flax seeds. [12] X Research source Many herbs help in relieving stress and anxiety. Some common herbs are ashwagandha or winter cherry or Indian ginseng, tulsi or holy basil, valerian root, turmeric root, Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Jatamasi or spikenard, Vacha or calamus or sweet flag. [13] X Research source Essential oils are good stress relievers. Some effective essential oils for relieving stress are ylang-ylang essential oil, lavender essential oil, clary sage essential oil, bergamot essential oil, and neroli essential oil. [14] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source