LABORATORY EXERCISE 3

HUMAN ECG, PULSE RATE AND BLOOD PRESSURE

INTRODUCTION

Through a complex multiple control system, the cell of the body and brain can
influence the circulatory pattern of blood. Changes in total blood flow are reflected in
heart rate and arterial pressure. Blood pressure can easily (through not continuously) be
measured. (Continuously measurement requires an arterial needle which is beyond having
fun in the lab and must be done by the physician). Systole refers to the contraction of the
heart and conventionally systolic arterial pressure is the highest pressure developed in
arteries during the ventricular contraction of the cardiac cycle. Diastole refers to a
relaxed heart muscle and diastolic pressure has conventionally meant the lowest arterial
pressure during a heart cycle. The pulse pressure is related to the amount of blood being
pumped per beat. It is the systolic minus the diastolic pressure.

PURPOSE

To determine what factors can be demonstrated that affect pulse rates, arterial pressure,
and pulse pressure.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Sphygmomanometer, mercury: 6
Stethoscope
Grass polygraphs: 2
Ice: 1 bucket plate
Electrodes: 8
Largest Finger bowl: 3 Electrode Paste: 2 tubes
Rubber bands, large: 12

Use of the Sphygmomanometer and Stethoscope

1. Locate the brachial artery in the inner bend of the elbow. You can feel the pulse
with your finger.
2. Place the inflatable cuff on the upper arm and inflate the cuff to about 100
mmHg. (You must first screw the knob near the bulb shut and see that the knob at
the base of the mercury column is in a position that will allow the mercury column to
rise.) Figure A.
3. Place the bell of the stethoscope over the brachial artery and listen for a sound
(Karotikow’s sound). The sound is made when the cuff pressure is high enough to
interrupt the flow of arterial blood and low enough to allow a spurt of blood
through the artery as the arterial blood pressure rises with the beat of the heart.
Confirm the fact that the sound disappears when the pressure of the cuff is so
great (150 mmHg) that no blood can get through the artery and when the
pressure of the duff is low enough (60 mmHg) that blood flow is continuous through
the artery. Do not leave the pressure high so long that the arm goes numb or is
uncomfortable.
4. The procedure for measuring blood pressure then is to raise the cuff pressure
above the arterial pressure (approximately 160 mmHg) and allow the cuff
 pressure to fall slowly by letting air escape (knob by the bulb) while listening for
the first sound and continuing the pressure drop until the sound becomes muffled
and disappears.
5. Note the pressure when the first sound is heard (systolic) and when the sound
becomes muffled (diastolic). The sound will disappear at what is sometimes called
the second diastolic pressure, 3-8 mmHg lower than the first diastolic pressure
(muffled).

Experimental

1. Become proficient at taking radial pulse (place finger tips just proximal to the
bend wrist on the little finger side). Take three, one minute readings on your
partner (replicate with the number of the group member).

Min 1 Min 2 Min 3

2. Check supine (laying on your back) pulse rate and blood pressure three times in
five minute. Is it always the same? (3 samples)

Min 1 Min 2 Min 3

3. Check supine pulse rate and blood pressure when a person of the opposite sex is
taking the radial pulse and when a person of the same sex is taking the radial
pulse. Take heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) when sitting and when
standing. (3 samples)

Min 1 Min 2 Min 3

4. Have the subject climbing up and down the stairs for 3 times in 5 minutes. Take BP
and HR immediately after and continue at one minute intervals until the BP is back
to control values. What is the recovery time?

Min 1 Min 2 Min 3 Min 4 Min 5

5. Get a large container of ice water. Place the subject’s free hand to well over the
wrist in the ice water and record the BP and HR every 45 seconds for 3 minutes.

45 sec 90 sec 135 sec 180 sec

Let each member of the group become proficient at taking blood pressures.