Blood Pressure Lab

Figure 2: Graph of the results listed in the table. The top two lines represent the male and female average systolic based on age

range. And the two bottom lines are
the male and female average diastolic.

Figure 1: Table of the results received from the blood pressure experiment. There are averages for male and female groups of different age ranges.

Figure 3: Chart that displays the ranges for optimal and normal blood pressure, then raises into the mild, moderate,and severe hypertension.

Blood Pressure

What factors affect the likelihood of hypertension?

1. State a problem about the relationship of age and gender to blood pressure.

A problem about the relationship of age and gender to blood pressure is that when events occur at the same time, such as age and gender to blood pressure. it does not necessarily mean that this relationship causes such an outcome. There could be other factors that are in relationship to blood pressure.

2. Use your knowledge about the heart and the circulatory system to make a hypothesis about how the average blood pressure for a group of people would be affected by manipulating the age and gender of the group.

From the knowledge I have about the heart and circulatory system, I hypothesize that the average blood pressure will be higher when the age range of each gender is manipulated. And, I hypothesize that the average blood pressure will be even higher within males than females.

3. How will you use the investigation screen to test your hypothesis? What steps will you follow? What data will you record?

I will use this investigation screen to test my hypothesis by beginning with the lowest age range for males and then increasing the age range. Then, I'll do the same for the females. The steps I plan to take are: 1. select male gender 2. select lowest age range 3. measure blood pressure 4. record any blood pressure that is out of range 5. check patients history 6. find the average blood pressure for the group 7. record the systolic and diastolic average in the table 8. then increase age range 9. repeat steps 3-8 10. change gender to female 11. select lowest age range 12. repeat steps 3-8 13. compare males and females after all data has been collected. The data I will record will be any outstanding patients blood pressure, the patients history, and the average systolic and diastolic blood pressure for each gender and age range.

4. Analyze the result of your experiment. Explain any patterns you observed.

The results I received from the experiment showed that as the age range began to increase in the male gender, the average blood pressure also increased, especially when the age range went from 11-17 to 18-24 and 35-44 to 45-54. In the age range of 11-17, the average blood pressure was 118/77, but when it changed to 18-24, the average blood pressure jumped to 129/80. In the age range of 35-44, the average blood pressure was 130/82, but when it changed to 45-54, it jumped to 137/88. As the age range began to increase in the female gender, there weren't as many drastic changes in the average blood pressure, until increase from the age range 35-44 to 45-54. In the age range 35-44, the average blood pressure was 122/78, but when it changed to 45-54, it jumped to 130/80. Although the average blood pressure for each group stayed within the normal range, there were patients who exceeded the normal range, causing the average to rise. I also observed that with the patients who did exceed the normal range, were either overweight, had a family history of hypertension, had a high salt diet, and lacked exercise.

5. Did the result of your experiment support your hypothesis? Why or why not? Based on your experiment what conclusion can you draw about the relationship of age and gender to group blood pressure averages?

The result of the experiment did support my hypothesis, because as the age range increased, so did the average blood pressure. And, the male gender had higher averages than the female gender at each age range. Based on the experiment, the conclusion that I draw about the relationship of age and gender to to group blood pressure is that the male gender is at higher risk for high blood pressure as they get older than the female gender.

6. During the course of your experiment, did you obtain any blood pressure reading that were outside of the normal range for the group being tested? What did you notice on the medical charts for these individuals that might explain their high reading?

During the experiment, I did obtain blood pressure readings that were outside the normal range for the group being tested. The male age range 18-24 and the female age range 18-24, both had a person that exceeded the normal range. Then male age range 25-34, there was another person out of the normal range. The age range 35-44, for males and females, two were above normal in males, and one was above the normal range in females. Lastly, the age range 45-54, for females and males, two were above the normal range for females, and seven were above the normal range for males. I noticed that when I viewed the medical charts of those who were above the normal range of blood pressure, that they were either, both, or all overweight, had a family history of hypertension, had a high salt diet, lacked exercise, and consumed alcohol. These factors might of explained the high readings.

7. List risk factors associated with hypertension. Based on your observation, which risk factor do you think is most closely associated with hypertension?

Risk factors associated with hypertension are: genetics, smoking, consumption of alcohol, poor dietary habits, obesity, and lack of physical exercise. Also, hypertension can lead to heart disease and stroke. Based on the observation, the risk factor that I think is most closely associated with hypertension is obesity.

8. What effect might obesity have on blood pressure? Does obesity alone cause a person to be at high risk for high blood pressure? What other factors, in combination with obesity, might increase a person's risk for high blood pressure?

The effect that obesity might have on blood pressure is that it can is can raise the blood pressure out of normal range, because the heart has to work harder in order for the body to function. But, obesity alone does not cause a person to be at risk for high blood pressure. The other factors in combination with obesity are poor lifestyle choices such as smoking, high-salt or high-fat diet, lack of exercise, over consumption of alcohol, a family history of hypertension, and men (especially) and women of an older age range (45-54).

Sources:

Pictures:

Figure 3: www.dietandfitnessresources.co.uk/images/arti

Works and Lab pictures: www.mhhe.combiosci/genbio/virtual_labs/BL_08/BL_0...