| ACT #5: Calculating the Pulse Rate
Caution: Do not do the following procedures if you have any medical problems with your lungs or your heart. Now that you know what blood pressure is, let�s measure something called the PULSE RATE. We are going to try a couple of different things to change that pulse rate as well. Find your RADIAL PULSE in your radial artery. Remember that a pulse occurs every time your heart contracts. The strength of the pulse is the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure. Copy down the table below: Pulse Rate Trial #1 Trial #2 Average Normal Holding Breath After Exercise Instructions: 1) Count your pulse for 15 seconds and multiply it by four to get the pulse rate. An average pulse rate for someone your age is around 70 pulses per minute. How do you compare? Do it twice and get an average. 2) Count you pulse while holding your breath for 15 seconds. DO NOT take in an extra deep breath before starting. Once again multiply that number by four and do it twice to get an average. 3) Run in place (not jog) for one minute. Afterward, count your pulse for 15 seconds immediately after running. Multiple it by four and do it twice to get an average. Questions: A) What happened to your pulse rate when you are holding your breath? How does it compare to your rate when you are breathing normally? B) How can you explain why the pulse rate is different when you are holding your breath versus when you are not holding your breath? C) What happened to your pulse rate after exercise? D) How can you explain the differences in the pulse rates? (Hint: What gases must be transported in and out of your cells?) Act #6: Cardiovascular Disorders A) What is the difference between these two cardiovascular disorders: hypertension and atherosclerosis? B) Which kinds of people are most at risk for cardiovascular disorders? Give me 4-5 risk factors. C) How does a person get HYPERTENSION? Explain what happens in the arteries. D) How does a person get ATHEROSCLEROSIS? E) What is abnormally high blood pressure? What�s yours again? F) Many people often choose to have an angioplasty (balloon). Explain how this procedure works to help a person avoid a heart attack. |