What is Blood Pressure?

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In this activity about heart health (on page 34 of the PDF), learners measure their own blood pressure using an electronic blood pressure monitor with a self-inflating cuff (included in cost of materials) and learn about the health effects of high blood pressure. Learners also discover how to interpret the blood pressure number (diastolic vs. systolic) and healthy ranges. This lesson guide includes background information, setup and management tips, and web resources.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
1 to 2 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Electronic blood pressure monitor with a self-inflating cuff (sold in drugstores)
  • Lab notebooks

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Human Body
      • Circulation
      • Health and Nutrition
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Analysis
      • Data Collection
      • Data Representation
    • Measurement
      • Units of Measurement
      • Rate
    • Number and Operations
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
      • Gravity
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Uses STEM to solve real-world problems
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

Includes assesments for student learning:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Tharp, Barbara Z. ; Erdmann, Deanne B. ; Matyas, Marsha L. ; McNeel, Ronald L. ; Moreno, Nancy P.

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Baylor College of Medicine, 2009

Funding Source:

  • NASA, NCC 9-58