Question

An adult human with average health has systolic and diastolic pressures as
(a)120 mm Hg and 80 mm Hg
(b)50 mm Hg and 80 mm Hg
(c)80 mm Hg and 80 mm Hg
(d)70 mm Hg and 120 mm Hg

Answer 1

The blood pressure of a person is the pressure of the circulating blood against the person’s blood vessels. A normal level of blood pressure has to be maintained, or a steep rise or drop in it can cause a number of disorders in the body.

Complete answer:
- Blood pressure in medical terms is reported in the form of the systolic pressure over diastolic pressure. The blood pressure varies between the systolic or the maximum pressure during one heartbeat and the diastolic or the minimum pressure during two heartbeats.
- The systolic (or ‘pumping’) and diastolic (or ‘filling’) pressure in an adult with average health is 120 mm Hg and 80 mm Hg, respectively.
- The blood pressure is measured by a non-invasive instrument known as the sphygmomanometer.
- Low blood pressure is known as hypotension and high blood pressure is known as hypertension.

Additional Information:
- If an individual has a measured blood pressure of 140 mm Hg and 90 mm Hg, they are diagnosed with hypertension. It can adversely affect the functions of the heart, kidney, and other organs. It may happen due to blockage in blood vessels or an irregular diet.
- If an individual has blood pressure under 120 mm Hg and 80 mm Hg, they may have hypotension. It causes weakness and dizziness and can have multiple underlying causes.

So, the correct answer is ‘120 mm Hg and 80 mm Hg’.

Note:
- Blood pressure is defined as a ‘vital sign’ - it is one of the four to six medical signs, along with the respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and body temperature, that is involved in giving the status of the individual’s vital functions.
- The average blood pressure values in men, women, infants, adolescents, and aging adults are different from each other, hence measuring should be done keeping the age of the patient in mind.