BP Question - EMTLife.com - The #1 Online Forum for EMS-Related Discussion

Maxzl · 10-31-2009, 06:55 PM

What is the normal BP (or how do you decide what it should be)?

Thanks

Vince · 10-31-2009, 07:21 PM

Depends on the Patient!

Normal is around 120/80! My wife is around 100lbs so her normal bp is around 105/70. If you have a low or high BP start by asking the PT do you normally have low or High BP!

It also states in your book what a normal range is for a general PT.

Maxzl · 10-31-2009, 07:29 PM

I was told several times that there's some formula for it. like their age + 100. Does anyone have any insight into that?
Max

emt.dan · 10-31-2009, 07:49 PM

BPs (and all vitals) are about trends. Its all about now compared to then (or normal). THere is no such thing as a "normal" BP, so calling it 120/80 is a fallacy. Ask your patient what it was last when they were at the doctor.

Dont just take one BP while with a patient. Take one on scene, one in the truck, one as you are pulling up to the ER, and one at triage. How have they changed? Is it normal?

MrBrown · 10-31-2009, 08:49 PM

"Normal" is highly over-rated. The old "normal" that was taught for years was 120/80 which is I think was more "average" than "normal".

Age + 100 is what the maximum systolic should be I think; I've heard that somewhere too but best to look it up coz I could be wrong; it's known to have happened before!

My personal opinion is that blood pressure is a more a diagnostic tool and generally helpful indicator of circulatory status than something to get all ruffled about being "not normal" in the prehospital environment.

EMT.Hart · 10-31-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBrown

Age + 100 is what the maximum systolic should be

I have heard that before also.

trevor1189 · 11-01-2009, 10:24 AM

Usually once you take a blood pressure if you say it out loud your patient (assuming they are alert) will comment on it if it is very far off from what they normally get. I have also had pts. say it is usually high/low before I start to inflate the cuff.

If you get something very far off from 120/80 ask the pt. how their pressure usually is.

120/80 seems to be the believed normal by the general population, but it doesn't mean someone with 130/85 is necessarily elevated.

Also consider the age/weight of pt. a 400 pound bariatic patient isn't likely rocking 120/80. ;-)

Another thing to consider is the difference in systolic and diastolic (pulse pressure) ie. 120/80 PP is 40 mmHg. Many EMTs seem to not know pulse pressure is and don't consider it.

EMT.Hart · 11-01-2009, 10:42 AM

Pulse Pressure... Never heard of it. Care to elaborate?

VentMedic · 10-31-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxzl

What is the normal BP (or how do you decide what it should be)?

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxzl

I was told several times that there's some formula for it. like their age + 100. Does anyone have any insight into that?
Max

Dear EMT student,

Are these homework questions?

If so, I would suggest you review the material you have been assigned.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxzl

I just wanted to make sure I knew how to properly measure blood pressure, we didn't spend to much time on in class so I just wanna make sure.
Please tell me if anything's wrong

http://www.emtlife.com/newreply.php?...reply&p=181188

As per the other BP thread you started, if you did not spend much time on BPs, get your instructor to review. Ask the instructor to clarify what he/she wants you to know for normals for testing purposes. Chances are if you are having questions, the other students will also. BPs are extremely important as are the other vital signs and the class should not just skip lightly over them.

10-31-2009, 08:49 PM	#5
MrBrown Forum Deputy Chief Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,635 Training: Brown 101	"Normal" is highly over-rated. The old "normal" that was taught for years was 120/80 which is I think was more "average" than "normal". Age + 100 is what the maximum systolic should be I think; I've heard that somewhere too but best to look it up coz I could be wrong; it's known to have happened before! My personal opinion is that blood pressure is a more a diagnostic tool and generally helpful indicator of circulatory status than something to get all ruffled about being "not normal" in the prehospital environment. __________________ What can Brown do for you? "He who knows most, knows how little he really knows" - Socrates Potential future HEMS Doctor extrodinare.

11-01-2009, 10:24 AM	#7
trevor1189 Forum Captain Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 376 Training: EMT-B, EMT-P Student	Usually once you take a blood pressure if you say it out loud your patient (assuming they are alert) will comment on it if it is very far off from what they normally get. I have also had pts. say it is usually high/low before I start to inflate the cuff. If you get something very far off from 120/80 ask the pt. how their pressure usually is. 120/80 seems to be the believed normal by the general population, but it doesn't mean someone with 130/85 is necessarily elevated. Also consider the age/weight of pt. a 400 pound bariatic patient isn't likely rocking 120/80. ;-) Another thing to consider is the difference in systolic and diastolic (pulse pressure) ie. 120/80 PP is 40 mmHg. Many EMTs seem to not know pulse pressure is and don't consider it. __________________ PA EMT-B "If I'm holding on to the "Oh sht bar" above me like a spider monkey, then I'm not taking care of the pt. Drive the truck like you're driving on ice" -MSDeltaFlt *My posts are my own personal opinion and not the opinion of any departments or organizations I am affiliated with. Last edited by trevor1189; 11-01-2009 at 10:27 AM.*

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10-31-2009, 06:55 PM	#1
Maxzl Forum Probie Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 12 Training: EMT-Basic	BP Question What is the normal BP (or how do you decide what it should be)? Thanks

10-31-2009, 07:21 PM	#2
Vince Forum Ride Along Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 2 Training: EMT-B Student	Depends on the Patient! Normal is around 120/80! My wife is around 100lbs so her normal bp is around 105/70. If you have a low or high BP start by asking the PT do you normally have low or High BP! It also states in your book what a normal range is for a general PT.

10-31-2009, 07:29 PM	#3
Maxzl Forum Probie Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 12 Training: EMT-Basic	I was told several times that there's some formula for it. like their age + 100. Does anyone have any insight into that? Max

10-31-2009, 07:49 PM	#4
emt.dan Forum Deputy Chief Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northeast Posts: 1,247 Training: EMT-B	BPs (and all vitals) are about trends. Its all about now compared to then (or normal). THere is no such thing as a "normal" BP, so calling it 120/80 is a fallacy. Ask your patient what it was last when they were at the doctor. Dont just take one BP while with a patient. Take one on scene, one in the truck, one as you are pulling up to the ER, and one at triage. How have they changed? Is it normal?

11-01-2009, 10:42 AM	#8
EMT.Hart Forum Probie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 25 Training: EMT-Basic	Pulse Pressure... Never heard of it. Care to elaborate?