Blood pressure

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/blood-pressure

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary measurement unit?Millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
2. What is the normal adult range?Generally considered to be below 120/80 mmHg
3. What is blood pressure and why is it important?Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of blood vessels. It pushes oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body and removes waste. It keeps our organs working well.
4. How does the heart create blood pressure?The heart pumps blood each minute, and the resistance in the blood vessels helps create pressure. When the heart squeezes (systole) the pressure is highest, and when it relaxes (diastole) the pressure is lowest.

Hemodynamics: The study of blood flow through the circulatory system and the forces involved.
Atherosclerosis: A condition characterized by the buildup of plaque within arteries, leading to narrowing and hardening.
Cardiac Output: The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, a key determinant of blood pressure.