BIO FPX 1000 Assessment 1 Cardiovascular System Lab

Student Name

Capella University

BIO FPX 1000 Human Biology

Prof. Name

Date

 Cardiovascular System Lab

The Cardiovascular System Lab assesses heart function systematically, including the impact of blood pressure on cardiac performance. This encompasses the effects of blood pressure variations on patients as evidenced by lab reports. This article explores normal blood pressure, the associated levels of concern, optimal heart rate, and what constitutes a healthy heart rate. Additionally, it delves into the correlation between heart rate and blood pressure, cardiovascular lab results, and suggestions for lifestyle improvements based on the lab reports.

What is Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the process of propelling blood from the heart to the body. Diastolic pressure represents the force exerted as the heart expels blood, while systolic pressure is the resting pressure between cardiac beats. The ideal blood pressure range is approximately 90/60mm Hg to 120/80mm Hg (National Health Service, 2019). Hypertension is diagnosed when persistently elevated blood pressure exceeds 130/80 mm Hg, often manageable through lifestyle changes. Blood pressure in the range of 140/90 mm Hg or higher necessitates prompt medication and attention (National Health Service, 2019).

What is Heart Rate

Heart rate is the number of heartbeats per minute required to meet the body’s oxygen needs (Harvard Health Publishing, 2020). It is important to note that a faster heart rate does not always indicate high blood pressure (Beckerman, 2002). Resting heart rate reflects the heart’s activity when the body is at rest, with 60 to 100 beats per minute considered a healthy range (American Heart Association, 2021). Maximum heart rate, the rate during strenuous activity, can be calculated using the formula 220 minus the individual’s age (American Heart Association, 2021). Abnormal heart rates, exceeding 120-140 bpm or falling below 60 bpm, raise concerns about the individual’s health (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).

Correlation between Heart Rate and Blood Pressure

Persistent hypertension is a significant health concern and a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Elevated heart rate is commonly associated with hypertensive patients and is considered a contributor to hypertension and other cardiovascular issues (Dalal et al., 2019). Positive correlations exist between elevated heart rate and cardiovascular morbidity, potentially leading to premature mortality (Goorakani et al., 2020).

Cardiovascular Results in Patients and Improvement of Lifestyle Changes

Patient 1: Tanya

Age: 40
Complaint: Frequent headaches
Blood Pressure Test: 125/80 mm Hg (pre-hypertension)
Heart rate Test: 66-72 bpm (normal)

Patient 2: Caroline Mendoza

Age: 45
Complaint: Persistent high blood pressure
Blood Pressure Test: 140/90 mm Hg (intense high blood pressure)
Heart rate Test: 135 bpm (alarming situation)

Conclusion

Blood pressure, the force exerted by the heart to pump blood, should ideally remain below 120/90 mmHg, with persistent levels above indicating high blood pressure. Heart rate, the rate at which the heart beats in a minute, has resting and maximum heart rate variations. The maximum heart rate optimum level depends on the individual’s age. Hypertension poses a significant health risk and is a contributing factor to cardiovascular diseases.

References

American Heart Association. (2021). Know your target heart rates for exercise, losing weight, and health. www.heart.org

Beckerman, J. (2002). Your Heart Rate. WebMD. www.webmd.com

Dalal, J., Dasbiswas, A., Sathyamurthy, I., Maddury, S. R., Kerkar, P., Bansal, S., Thomas, J., Mandal, S. C., Mookerjee, S., Natarajan, S., Kumar, V., Chandra, N., Khan, A., Vijayakumar, R., & Sawhney, J. P. S. (2019). Heart rate in hypertension: review and expert opinion. International Journal of Hypertension, 2019, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2087064

Fuchs, F. D., & Whelton, P. K. (2020). High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Hypertension, 75(2), 285–292. https://doi.org/10.1161/hypertensionaha.119.14240

BIO FPX 1000 Assessment 1 Cardiovascular System Lab

Goorakani, Y., Sedigh Rahimabadi, M., Dehghan, A., Kazemi, M., Chijan, M. R., Bijani, M., Shahraki, H. R., Davoodi, A., Farjam, M., & Homayounfar, R. (2020). Correlation of resting heart rate with anthropometric factors and serum biomarkers in a population-based study: Fasa PERSIAN cohort study. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-020-01594-y

Harvard Health Publishing. (2020). What your heart rate is telling you – Harvard Health. www.health.harvard.edu

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). 2 easy, accurate ways to measure your heart rate. www.mayoclinic.org

National Health Service. (2019). What is blood pressure?

BIO FPX 1000 Assessment 1 Cardiovascular System Lab