Overview :

The systolic pressure is the maximum arterial pressure during the cardiac cycle, achieved during systole, whereas the diastolic pressure is the minimum, achieved during diastole. The pulse pressure is the difference between these two pressures. The mean arterial pressure is the area under the arterial pressure curve divided by the cardiac cycle duration (Berne); it can be reasonably approximated by calculations using systolic and diastolic pressures.

pulse pressure =

=  (systolic systemic arterial pressure) - (diastolic systemic arterial pressure)

mean systemic arterial pressure =

= (diastolic systemic arterial pressure) + ((1/3) * (pulse pressure)) =

= (diastolic systemic arterial pressure) + ((1/3) * ((systolic systemic arterial pressure) - (diastolic systemic arterial pressure))) =

= ((systolic systemic arterial pressure) + (2 * (diastolic systemic arterial pressure))) / 3

rate pressure product =

= (systolic blood pressure in mm Hg) * (heart rate in beats per min) / 1000

Interpretation:

• normal systolic arterial pressure: 100 - 140 mm Hg

• normal diastolic arterial pressure: 60 - 90 mm Hg

• normal pulse pressure: 30 - 50 mm Hg

• normal mean arterial pressure: 70 - 100 mm Hg

• normal heart rate: 60-100 beats per minute

Berkow R, Fletcher AJ, et al. The Merck Manual, 16th edition. 1992. pages 400-403.

Berne RM, Levy MN. Physiology. CV Mosby Company. 1983. pages 507-508 (Chapter 30: The arterial system)

Brobeck JR. Best and Taylor's Physiological Basis of Medical Practice, 9th edition. Williams and Wilkins Company. 1973. pages 3-148 to 3-206.

Ewald G, McKenzie C (editors). Manual of Medical Therapeutics, 28th edition. Little, Brown and Company. 1995. pages 577-578

Hsu L, Rostami A, et al. Evolution of the responses to exercise in left ventricular aneurysms after anterior wall acute myocardial infarction. Am J Cardiol. 1988; 61: 236-239.

Schroeder JS, Daily EK. Techniques in besdie hemodynamic monitoring. CV Mosby Company. 1976.