Part of Lesson Plan: Blood Pressure

Activity Overview / Details

Who knows what their blood pressure is? It is the force of the blood being pushed against the vessels of the body. However, there are two types of blood pressure - Systolic and Diastolic. Blood pressure is not constant like the water out of a hose. (Bring in a hose as an example or use the story of a child jumping on a hose while his sibling is trying to take a drink out of it) There is a high and a low pressure. Who knows what their blood pressure should be? For high school age students it should be 90-140 over 60-90 or written as 90-140/60-90. Who knows what the name of the device is that measures your blood pressure? Discuss these questions and lead to the blood pressure cuff for the last one also known as the sphygmomanometer. Have them repeat the word after you say it. It is in the packet and the word is broken down and explained.