Blood Pressure Lab

In this lab, a partner and I measured each other's blood pressure and pulse. Using a stethoscope and a sphygmomanometer, we first measured each other's systolic blood pressure.
The systolic blood pressure was measured by pumping the air bulb until the pressure reached about 150 mmHg, and then slowly releasing the pressure until a "whoosh" sound from the blood was heard. When we heard the "whoosh", we recorded the pressure (systolic). On the other hand, in order to measure the diastolic pressure, we listen through the stethoscope until the "whoosh" sound fades away; this point is called the diastolic pressure.
The heart rate is measured by a stethoscope, and the blood pressure is measured by a sphygmomanometer, a device with an air bulb, arm cuff, and a pressure reader.
Using your thumb to measure pulse is not ideal because the thumb has a pulse of its own, so it could confuse the pulse reader and make the findings inaccurate.
A sphygomomanometer requires careful and meticulous work in order to record an accurate blood pressure. First, make sure the air bladder of the cuff is deflated before wrapping it around anyone's arm. Next, wrap i around the upper arm so it fits well and make sure the velcro sticks well to ensure the cuff's position. Then, place the head of the stethoscope right under the edge of the cuff, just a small distance above the elbow crease. Inflate the cuff with quick pumps of the air bulb until the pressure reads about 150 mmHg or until the the pulse cannot be heard. Once the pressure reaches about 150 mmHg, slightly open the air flow and release some air very slowly, ensuring that the air is not released too suddenly. At this point, listen closely for any sign of blood flow while watching the pressure gauge fall. Once you hear a "whoosh" of blood flow, look at the pressure gauge and record this pressure as the systolic blood pressure. Next, watch the stethoscope and listen to the pulse until the "whoosh" sound disappears; at this point, look at the pressure gauge and record this number as the diastolic blood pressure.

Data:

	Test 1	Test 2	Average for All Subjects
Pulse Rate (radial)	60 bpm	68 bpm	64 bpm
Pulse Rate (carotid)	74 bpm	66 bpm	70 bpm
Stethoscope	66 bpm	70 bpm	68 bpm
Average for Individual Subjects	66.7 bpm	68 bpm	67.3 bpm

	Subject 1	Subject 2
Blood Pressure (test 1)	120/70	110/74
Blood Pressure (test 2)	122/76	107/80