What is Average Blood Pressure?
Average Blood Pressure (ABP), also known as Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), is a calculated value that represents the average pressure in the arteries during one cardiac cycle. It is an important hemodynamic parameter used to assess overall cardiovascular health and organ perfusion.
Formula
The formula for calculating Average Blood Pressure is:
$$
ABP = \frac{2 \times \text{Diastolic} + \text{Systolic}}{3}
$$
Where:
- Diastolic is the diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)
- Systolic is the systolic blood pressure (mmHg)
Example Calculation
Let's calculate the average blood pressure for someone with:
- Diastolic Blood Pressure = 70 mmHg
- Systolic Blood Pressure = 110 mmHg
Step 1: Multiply the diastolic blood pressure by 2
$$
2 \times 70 = 140
$$
Step 2: Add the systolic blood pressure to the result
$$
140 + 110 = 250
$$
Step 3: Divide the sum by 3 to get the average blood pressure
$$
\frac{250}{3} \approx 83.33 \text{ mmHg}
$$
Result: The Average Blood Pressure is approximately 83.33 mmHg.
Why is Average Blood Pressure Important?
Average blood pressure is a critical indicator of cardiovascular health because it represents the perfusion pressure that drives blood flow to organs. A normal MAP typically ranges from 70 to 100 mmHg. Values below 60 mmHg may indicate inadequate organ perfusion, while consistently high values may indicate hypertension and increased cardiovascular risk.