demonstration speech on blood pressure

Ajee Wade
February 12, 2015
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience of the steps in measuring blood pressure.
General Purpose: Blood pressure is a vital sign that can be measured by utilizing three important steps.

I. Watch Your Blood Pressure
A. About 1 of 3 U.S. adults—or 67 million people—have high blood pressure. Only about half (47%) of these people have their high blood pressure under control. This common condition increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, 2 of the leading causes of death for Americans.
B. As a health science student, I have acquired this skills early on especially since it runs in my family.
C. Knowing how to do blood pressure measurement could possibly save your life
D. Today I would like to demonstrate these three basic steps: gathering the materials, following a specific procedure, and interpreting the blood pressure reading.
II.
A. The first step is to gather the materials.
1. You will need a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) with a gauge and a special cuff.
2. You will also need a stethoscope.
B. Next is the specific procedure which can be broken into four steps.
1. The cuff is wrapped around, with the bottom of the cuff just above the antecubital space.
2. The gauge of the cuff is placed to be read easily.
3. The stethoscope diaphragm is placed over the brachial artery.
4. The pump valve is closed and the cuff is inflated, then released slowly to obtain a reading.
C. A blood pressure reading is usually expressed in two figures.
1. The top figure (systolic) is a measure of the pumping action of the heart muscle itself.
2. The bottom figure (diastolic) indicates the ability of the arterial system to accept the blood forced into the system.
3. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 for the ages 18 through 45.
III.
A. So there are three basic steps need to check blood pressure.
1. Gather materials
2. Follow specific procedure
3. Interpret BP reading
B. In conclusion, 63 million people have hypertension. It is estimated that about half of the nation's hypertension go unnoticed. So I encourage you to put forth the extra time and the little effort needed to help yourself live a long, healthy life; watch your blood pressure!
C. Thank you my name is Ajee Wade