The traditional method of measuring blood pressure uses a sphygmomanometer, first recording the highest (systolic) and then the lowest (diastolic) pressure from which flowing “Korotkoff” sounds can be heard. Patients with dangerous hypertension can exhibit systolic pressures as high as 5 lbf/in2. Normal levels, however, are 2.7 and 1.7 lbf/in2, respectively, for systolic and diastolic pressures. The manometer uses mercury and air as fluids.
(a) How high should the manometer tube be?
(b) Express normal systolic and diastolic blood pressure in millimeters of mercury.