The cuff is wrapped around the upper arm and inflated to a pressure that will shut off the brachial artery. The examiner then listens for the sounds of Korotkoff. These sounds are divided into five phases and are characterized by differences in quality and loudness. This is the systolic pressure. This phase and the next are taken as the diastolic pressure.
All sounds disappear.
It is important to note that blood pressure varies from person to person, depending on the person s age, sex weight, heredity, and environment. Normal blood pressure for men and women varies with age and fitness. Considering these factors, blood pressure that is chronically high may indicate health concerns. This condition of high blood pressure is called hypertension, and is a major contributing factor in heart disease and stroke. Cardiac Rate and Physical Fitness Cardiac rate, the number of beats per minute, increases during exercise and other physical exertion.