*Pulse and Blood Pressure*

Blood pressure measures the force exerted by blood against vessel walls

• During systole, blood is under a lot ofpressure and gives the highest reading

• During diastole, blood is under little pressure and gives the lowest reading

Blood pressure may be affected by characteristics of blood and the blood vessels like:

• Elasticity of arteries

• Diameter of blood vessels

• Viscosity of the blood

• Amount of resistance to blood flow

Pulse (p) is the surge of blood caused by the heart contraction

• It is commonly measured at the throat or wrist

• In general, pulse rate is equal to heart rate