Heart Physiology
In this lab you will examine two simple influences on heart performance: (1) posture and (2) activity. In Part 1 you will determine how these two influences impact how rapidly the heart beats per minute. This will be done by measuring your pulse rate.
Click here to go to the pulse measurement protocol.
In Part 2 you will determine how posture and activity affect how strongly the heart beats with each contraction. This will be done by measuring your blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels and consists of two measures: systolic blood pressure is the pressure generated while the heart is contracting; diastolic blood pressure is the pressure maintained while the heart muscle is relaxed. Average systolic and diastolic readings for an adult are typically about 120/80.
Click here to go to the blood pressure protocol.
Click here to download the heart physiology protocols PDF.
Click here to download the heart physiology worksheet PDF.