Question

Scenario: DW is a 65-year-old, 135 kg male who visited his primary care physician for a routine examination. His blood pressure was 158/100 mmHg and his heart rate was 71 bpm. Stroke volume and cardiac output were normal. Serum renin levels were in the            normal range.   A chest x-ray revealed left ventricular hypertrophy. Other clinical findings were unremarkable.

(8 pts) What is the patient’s pulse pressure (Systolic pressure – Diastolic Pressure)? What is this patient’s mean arterial pressure (MAP = Diastolic Pressure + ⅓(pulse pressure))?   

(8 pts) What is the target, normal blood systolic and diastolic pressure, according to the American Heart Association? Calculate the mean arterial pressure for these normal pressures.

Answer 1

Answer 1:

Patients pulse pressure:

Systolic pressure - Diastolic pressure

= 158 - 100

= 58 mmHg

Hence, patient pulse pressure is 58 mmHg.

Answer 2:

Patients mean arterial pressure

MAP = Diastolic pressure + 1/3 Pulse pressure

= 100 + 1/3 x 58

= 100 + 19.33

= 119.33 mmHg = approximately 119 mmHg

Patients mean arterial pressure is 119.33 mmHg

Answer 3:

The target normal blood systolic and diastolic pressure according to American Heart Association is 120/80 mmHg.

The pulse pressure = 120 - 80 = 40 mmHg

The mean arterial pressure for these normal values is;

= 80 + 1/3x40

= 80 + 13.33

= 93.33 = approximately 93 mmHg.