Cardiovascular Physiology Concepts
                                    Richard E. Klabunde, Ph.D.

Arterial Blood Pressure

When the left ventricle ejects blood into the aorta, the aortic pressure rises. The maximal aortic pressure following ejection is termed the systolic pressure (P_systolic). As the left ventricle is relaxing and refilling, the pressure in the aorta falls. The lowest pressure in the aorta, which occurs just before the ventricle ejects blood into the aorta, is termed the diastolic pressure (P_diastolic). When blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer, the upper value is the systolic pressure and the lower value is the diastolic pressure. Normal systolic pressure is 120 mmHg or less, and normal diastolic pressure is 80 mmHg or less. The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures is the aortic pulse pressure, which typically ranges between 40 and 50 mmHg. The mean aortic pressure (P_mean) is the average pressure (geometric mean) during the aortic pulse cycle.

When arterial pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer (i.e., blood pressure cuff) on the upper arm, the systolic and diastolic pressures that are measured represent the pressure within the brachial artery, which is slightly different than the pressure found in the aorta or the pressure found in other distributing arteries. As the aortic pressure pulse travels down the aorta and into distributing arteries, there are characteristic changes in the systolic and diastolic pressures, as well as in the mean pressure. The systolic pressure rises and the diastolic pressure falls, therefore the pulse pressure increases, as the pressure pulse travels away from the aorta. This occurs because of reflective waves from vessel branching, and from decreased arterial compliance (increased vessel stiffness) as the pressure pulse travels from the aorta into systemic arteries. There is only a small decline in mean arterial pressure as the pressure pulse travels down distributing arteries due to the relatively low resistance of large distributing arteries. 

To learn what determines mean arterial pressure, CLICK HERE.

To learn what determines systolic and diastolic pressures, CLICK HERE.

RK Revised 03/29/2007

DISCLAIMER: These materials are for educational purposes only, and are not a source of medical decision-making advice.

© 1999-2008 Richard E. Klabunde, all rights reserved.