If blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, what is the mean arterial pressure (MAP)?

If blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, what is the mean arterial pressure (MAP)?

• A. 93
• B. 86
• C. 101
• D. 72

Answer: (A)

Mean arterial pressure represents the average pressure in the arteries during a heartbeat and is estimated by weighting diastolic pressure more, since the heart spends more time in diastole. Use MAP ≈ DBP + 1/3(SBP − DBP). For 120/80, the pulse pressure is 40, and one-third of that is about 13.3. Add to the diastolic pressure: 80 + 13.3 ≈ 93 mmHg. The exact equivalent formula is (SBP + 2×DBP)/3, which also gives about 93. Values like 101, 86, or 72 don’t align with this calculation.

Mean arterial pressure represents the average pressure in the arteries during a heartbeat and is estimated by weighting diastolic pressure more, since the heart spends more time in diastole. Use MAP ≈ DBP + 1/3(SBP − DBP). For 120/80, the pulse pressure is 40, and one-third of that is about 13.3. Add to the diastolic pressure: 80 + 13.3 ≈ 93 mmHg. The exact equivalent formula is (SBP + 2×DBP)/3, which also gives about 93. Values like 101, 86, or 72 don’t align with this calculation.