Cardiovascular Lab

In this exercise, students will be introduced to

the common methods of
Measuring blood pressure
Listening to the major heart sounds
Using a photoelectric pulse transducer to monitor
pulse rate and pulse pressure while performing
the Valsalva maneuver.

Introductory Notes
Systolic Pressure: pressure exerted by the blood against the
arterial walls during ventricular systole (normal 120 mmHg)
Dicrotic Notch: due to the brief backflow of blood through the
elastic arteries which closes the semilunar valves during ventricular
diastole
Diastolic Pressure: pressure exerted by the blood against the
arterial walls during ventricular diastole (normal 80 mmHg)

Introductory Notes
Pulse Pressure: difference between Systolic Pressure and Diastolic Pressure (SP - DP)
(normal 40 mmHg: 120 mmHg - 80 mmHg)
Mean arterial pressure (MAP) = average pressure within the arteries
MAP = Diastolic Pressure + 1/3 (Pulse Pressure)
The equation reflects the fact that the heart spends more time in diastole during the
cardiac cycle; therefore, not merely an average between SP and DP.
Ex: If BP is recorded as 120mmHg/80mmHg
MAP
MAP
MAP
MAP
MAP

=
=
=
=
=

DP + 1/3 (SP DP)

80 + 1/3 (120 80)
80 + 1/3 (40)
80 + 13.33
93.33 mmHg

Experimental Procedures
Pulse Rate: Use your second and third fingers to palpate the
radial artery of your laboratory partner. Repeat the same
procedure while palpating the carotid artery.
Determine the radial pulse rate of your laboratory partner
under the following conditions:
1) After your partner has rested 5 minutes in a
supine
position.
2) Immediately after your partner assumes a sitting position.
3) Immediately after your partner assumes a standing
position.

Introductory Notes
Heart Sounds
1st heart sound: closure of AV valves
2nd heart sound: closure of SL valves

Murmur: an abnormal heart sound associated

with valvular insufficiency, and/or narrowing of
the valvular opening

Auscultation of Heart Sounds

Experimental Procedures
Auscultation of Heart Sounds: Clean the earpieces
of the stethoscope with an alcohol swab before and
after use.
1) Distinguish between the two major heart sounds
(lubb-dupp).
2) Listen for sounds created by all four valves and
compare each.
3) Measure the radial pulse and apical pulse
simultaneously, to determine if a pulse deficit
exists.

Measurement of Blood Pressure

2015 Health Media Network

Experimental Procedures
Measurement of Blood Pressure: Obtain a sphygmomanometer and
test to make sure the bulb, valve, and gauge are all functioning properly.
Determine the blood pressure of your subject under the following
conditions:
1) After your partner has rested 2 minutes in a sitting position.
2) After your partner has rested 2 minutes in a supine position.
3) After your partner has rested 2 minutes in a standing position.
4) Immediately after your partner has exercised 5 minutes and
assumes a sitting position.
From the sitting position data above, calculate the mean arterial
pressure (MAP) and record your finding.

Experimental Procedures
Plethysmography: study of blood volume change within an
organ/tissue by using volume displacement techniques
Connect the pulse transducer to Channel 1 on the BioPac acquisition
box and click on the Pulse folder on your desktop.
Record their pulse for 10 seconds and calculate the resting pulse rate.
With your partner standing, record their pulse for 10 seconds and
calculate the pulse rate. Compare the pulse rates and pulse recording
amplitudes of the sitting subject with the standing subject.
While your partner is seated with their hand resting on the lab table,
record their pulse while they perform the Valsalva maneuver.