NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1

HEALTH PROGRAM, FAMILY PLANNING AND PREVENTION OF STD’S AND HIV

WITH SPECIAL TOPICS OF RENCH CHANLIONGCO ABOUT STD AND HIV

PEOPLE DIED FROM AIDS:

— ROCK HUDSON

— SARAH JANE SALAZAR

AT THE CROSSROADS OF AN EPIDEMIC…

THE PHILIPPINES IS ONE OF ONLYU SEVEN COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

WHERE NEW CASES ARE RISING

THE OTHERS ATE BANGLADESH, ARMENIA, GEORGIA, KAZAKHSTAN,

KYRGYZSTAN, AND TAJIKISTAN

GEOGRAPHIC CONTRIBUTION

— ALL 17 REGIONS ARE REPORTING HIV CASES

— 72 OF THE 80 PROVINCES ARE REPORTING HIV CASES

MOST AT RISK AREAS:

— METRO-MANILA

— METRO-CEBU

— METRO-DAVAO

MOST AT RISH POPULATION:

— PIP

— MSM

— IDU

VULNERABLE POPULATION:

— MARCY

— CLIENTS OF CSW

— OFW AND PARTNERS

WHAT IS HIV?

HUMAN - THIS VIRUS CAN ONLY INFECT HUMAN BEINGS

IMMUNODEFICIENCY - THE EFFECT OF THE VIRUS IS TO CREATE A

DEFICIENCY (A FAILURE TO WORK PROPERLY) WITHIN THE BODY’S IMMUNE
SYSTEM

VIRUS - THIS ORGANISM IS A RETRO VIRUS, WHICH MEANS IT CAN

REPRODUCE ITSELF BY TAKING OVER THE MACHINERY OF THE HUMAN CELL.

FOUR BODY FLUIS KNOWN TO TRANSMIT HIV:

— BLOOD

— SEMEN

— VAGINAL / CERVICAL FLUID

— BREASTMILK

HIV TRANSMISSION RISK 1: SEXUAL TRANSMISSION OF HIV

HIV TRANSMISSION RISK 2: INFECTED BLOOD AND BLOOD PRODUCTS

BLOOD TRANSFUSION FROM AN HIV-INFECTED DONOR AND

SHARING OF INFECTED SYRINGES AND NEEDLES.

HIV TRANSMISSION RISK 3: MOTHER TO CHILD, FROM AN HIV-INFECTED

MOTHER TO HER CHILD

— DURING PREGNANCY

— NATURAL DELIVERY

— BREASTFEEDING

IMPACT ON INDIVIDUALS

— PSYCHOSOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL

— SOCIAL EXCLUSION, STIGMATIZATION AND ISOLATION

— PHYSICAL EFFECTS (HEALTH)

— DIFFICULTY FINDING ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT

IMPACT ON THE FAMILY

— PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS CAUSED BY ANGER, SORROW, FRUSTRATION,

AND INABILITY TO COPE WITH THE NEEDS OF THE PLHIV

— STIGMATIZATION AND DISCRIMINATION WITHIN THE FAMILY

— HEALTH COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HIV AND AIDS

IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

— INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR VIOLENCE AND OTHER

DISCRIMINATORY ACTS AGAINST PLHIV’S IN THE COMMUNITY

— ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

INCREASED HEALTH COSTS

LOSS OF PRODUCTIVITY

ABCDE OF PREVENTION

ABSTINENCE - DO NOT HAVE SEX. IN THE CASE OF ADOLESCENTS,

DELAYING SEXUAL DEBUT (AGE OF FIRST SEXUAL ENCOUNTER) WILL HELP.

BE MONOGAMOUS - HAVE ONE SEXUAL PARTNER

CORRECT AND CONSISTENT USE OF CONDOM AND SAFER SEX PRACTICES

DO NOT INJECT DRUGS

EDUCATION AND EARLY DETECTION

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8504

THE PHILIPPINES AIDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL ACT OF 1998

AN ACT PROMULGATING POLICIES AND PRESCRIBING MEASURES FOR

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF HIV/AIDS IN THE PHILIPPINES, INSTITUTING A
NATIONWIDE HIV/AIDS INFORMATION AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM,
ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE HIV/AIDS MONITORING SYSTEM,
STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL COUNCIL, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.

KEY PROVISIONS OF RA 8504

ARTICLE I - EDUCATION AND INFORMATION

ARTICLE II - SAFE PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES

ARTICLE III - TESTING, SCREENING, AND COUNSELING

ARTICLE IV - HEALTH AND SUPPORT SERVICES

ARTICLE V - MONITORING

ARTICLE VI - CONFIDENTIALITY

ARTICLE VII - DISCRIMINATORY ACTS AND POLICIES

ARTICLE VIII - THE PNAC

5TH AMTP STRATEGIES FRAMEWORK

GOAL

BY 2016, THE COUNTRY WILL HAVE PREVENTED THE FURTHER SPREAD OF HIV
INFECTION AND REDUCED THE IMPACT OF THE DISEASE ON INDIVIDUALS,
FAMILIES, SECTORS, AND COMMUNITIES.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

— TO IMPROVE THE COVERAGE AND QUALITY OF PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR

PERSONS AT MOST RISK, VULNERABLE AND LIVING WITH HIV

— TO IMPROVE THE COVERAGE AND QUALITY OF TCS PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE

LIVING WITH HIV (INCLUDING THOS WHO REMAIN AT RISK AND VULNERABLE)
AND THEIR FAMILIES

— TO ENHANCE POLICIES FOR SCALING UP IMPLEMENTATION, EFFECTIVE

MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION OF HIV PROGRAMS AT ALL LEVELS

— TO STRENGTHEN CAPACITIES OF THE PNAC AND ITS MEMBERS TO OVERSEE

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 5TH AMTP

— TO STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS AND DEVELOP CAPACITIES FOR THE 5TH

AMTP IMPLEMENTATION OF LGU’S, PRIVATE SECTOR, CIVIL SOCIETY, INCLUDING
COMMUNITIES OF AT-RISK, VULNERABLE, AND LIVING WITH HIV

KEY STRATEGIES

— DEVELOP EVIDENCE-BASED, TARGETED, COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS

— CAPACITATE SERVICE PROVIDERS

— PROVIDE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PROGRAMS

— ENHANCE DECENTRALIZED IMPLEMENTATION

— PROVIDE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

— EXPAND, BUILD, STRENGTHEN MANAGEMENT, PARTNERSHIPS AND

COLLABORATION

— DEVELOP CAPACITY OF PARTNERS

THE EDUCATION SECTOR RESPONSE HIGHLIGHTS

— HAS ISSUED POLICIES ON ADVOCACY AND INTEGRATION OF HIV AND

AIDS IN THE CURRICULUM

— POWER OF YOU PROJECT

— HAS HELD SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS FOR ELEMENTARY AND

SECONDARY SCHOOL HEALTH PERSONNEL ON HIV AND AIDS AND ADOLESCENT
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

 — HAS DEVELOPED AND ROLLED OUT AN HIV AND AIDS MODULE AS AN

IEC MATERIAL.

MAJOR CHALLENGES TO THE COUNTRY RESPONSE

— LACK OF POLITICAL SUPPORT (NATIONAL AND LOCAL)

— LACK OF POLICY GUIDELINES FOR EFFICIENT EXECUTION OF PROGRAMS

— MONITORING AND EVALUATION CHALLENGES

— LOW FUNDING FOR HIV AND AIDS PROGRAMS

— LOW PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE DISEASE

FAMILY PLANNING

FAMILY PLANNING AND BIRTH CONTROL

FAMILY PLANNING IS HAVING THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN YOU WANT,

WHEN YOU WANT THEM. DIFFERENT PARENTS HAVE DIFFERENT REASONS FOR
WANTING TO LIMIT THE SIZE OF THEIR FAMILY. SOME PARENTS MAY DECIDE TO
DELAY HAVING ANY CHILDREN UNTIL THEY HAVE WORKED AND SAVED ENOUGH
SO THAT THEY CAN AFFORD TO CARE FOR THEM WELL.

SOME PARENTS MAY DECIDE THAT A SMALL NUMBER OF CHILDREN IS

ENOUGH, BUT OTHERS MAY WANT MORE. OTHERS MAY WANT TO SPACE THEIR
CHILDREN, SO THEIR MOTHER WILL BE HEALTHIER. THERE ARE SEVERAL
METHODS TO PREVENT WOMEN FROM BECOMING PREGNANT FOR AS LONG AS
SHE WISHES. THESE ARE METHODS OF BIRTH CONTROL OR CONTRACEPTIVE.

CHOOSING A METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL

1. BIRTH CONTROL PILLS (ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES)

2. THE CONDOM

3. WITHDRAWAL OR PULLING OUT (COITUS INTERRUPTS)

4. INTRAUTERINE DEVICE (IUD)

5. DIAPHRAGM

6. INJECTIONS

7. SPONGE METHOD

8. BREAST FEEDING

9. THE RHYTHM (CALENDAR) METHOD

10. MUCUS METHOD

HEALTH PROGRAM VITAL SIGNS

VITAL SIGNS

VITAL SIGNS INCLUDE THE HEART BEAT, BREATHING RATE, TEMPERATURE

AND BLOOD PRESSURE. THESE SIGNS MAY BE WATCHED, MEASURED AND
MONITORED TO CHECK AN INDIVIDUAL’S LEVEL OF PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING

VITAL

NORMAL VITAL SIGNS CHANGE WITH AGE, SEX, WEIGHT, EXERCISE

TOLERANCE AND CONDITION. NORMAL RANGES FOR THE AVERAGE HEALTHY
ADULT VITAL SIGNS ARE:

— BLOOD PRESSURE : 120/80 MM/HG

— BREATHING : 12-18 BREATHS PER MINUTE

— PULSE : 60-80 BEATS PER MINUTE (AT REST)

— TEMPERATURE : 97.8 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT/AVERAGE 98.6

FAHRENHEIT OR 36.5 TO 37.5 DEGREES CENTIGRADE

PULSE RATE CHART

DEFINED, AS THE RATE AT WHICH THE HEARTBEATS IN ONE MINUTES,

PULSE RATE OR THE HEART BEAT IS INDICATIVE OF THE HEALTH OF THE
PERSON. AS THE HEART PUMPS BLOOD INTO THE BODY, THE BLOOD VESSELS
CLOEE TO THE WRIST, UPPER ARM AND NECK START PULSATING AND
THROBBING, WHILE THE NORMAL PULSE RATE FRO HUMAN IS USUALLY 60 TO
100 BEATS PER MINUTE, THERE ARE CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS
CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA WHICH MAY ALTER THE NORMAL PULSE RATE OF AN
INDIVIDUAL.

THE OTHEE INFLUENCING FACTORS ARE THE PERSON’S AGE, GENDER,

AND FITNESS LEVEL. SO AS TODDLER’S PULSE RATE IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGH AT
AROUND 110 BPM WHICH IS ALMOST CLOSE TO AN ADULT’S PULSE RATE AFTER
A STRENUOUS EXERCISE. SIMILARLY FEMALES AGED 12 AND OLDER, TEND TO
HAVE FASTER HEART RATES THAN MEN. ALSO ATHLETES, WHO DO A LOT OF
CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONING, MAY HAVE HEART RATES NEAR 40 BEATS
PER MINUTE. IT IS ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE PULSE IS LOWER WHEN YOU ARE
AT REST AND INCREASES WHEN YOU ARE INVOLVED IN ANY STRENUOUS
EXERCISE.

HOW TO CALCULATE PULSE RATE?

YOU CAN CHECK YOUR PULSE RATE BY PLACING TIPS OF YOUR INDEX,
SECOND AND THIRD FINGERS ON THE PALM SIDE OF YOUR OTHER WRIST, BELOW
THE BASE OF THE THUMB OR IN YOUR LOWER NECK, ON EITHER SIDE OF YOUR
WINDPIPE. NOW COUNT THE BEATS FOR 10 SECONDS AND MULTIPLY THIS
NUMBER BY SIX TO GET YOUR PULSE. NOW USE A PULSE RATE CHART TO FINE
OUT HOW WELL YOUR HEART IS WORKING AND GENERAL HEALTH AND FITNESS
LEVELS. CHECKING YOUR PULSE RATES WHEN RESTING, DURING EXERCISES OR
AFTER IT, CAN GIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OVERALL FITNESS.

NORMAL PULSE RATE CHART

RESTING PULSE RATE CHART : IT IS OBSERVED THAT THE LOWER THE

RESTING HEART RATES, THE HEALTHIER IS YOUR HEART. FOR CALCULATING
THIS, YOU HAVE TO SIT QUIETLY FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE CHECKING YOUR
PULSE RATE. HERE IS A TABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE IDEAL RESTING HEART
RATES.

BABIES TO AGE 1: 100-60

CHILDREN AGED 1 - 10: 60-140

CHILDREN AGED 10+ AND ADULTS: 60-100

WELL-CONDITIONED ATHLETES: 40-60

HOW TO TAKE RADIAL PULSE?

THE RADIAL ARTERY IS FOUND CLOSE TO THE INSIDE PART OF YOUR

WRIST NEW YOUR THUMB. YOU WILL NEED A WATCH WITH A SECOND HAND TO
COUNT YOUR PULSE. THE FOLLOWING STEPS MAY HELP YOU TAKE YOUR RADIAL
PULSE:

• BEND YOUR ELBOW WITH YOUR ARM AT YOUR SIDE. THE PALM OF YOUR
HAND SHOULD BE UP.

• USING YOUR MIDDLE (LONG) AND INDEX (POINTER) FINGERS, GENTLY FEEL
FOR THE RADIAL ARTERY INSIDE YOUR WIRST, YOU WILL FEEL THE RADIAL
PULSE BEATING WHEN YOU FIND IT. DO NOT USE YOUR THUMB TO TAKE THE
PULSE BECAUSE IT HAS A PULSE OF ITS OWN.

• COUNT YOUR RADIAL PULSE FOR A FULL MINUTES (60 SECONDS). NOTICE
IF YOUR PULSE HAS A STRONG OR WEAK BEAT.

• WRITE DOWN YOUR PULSE RATE, THE DATE, TIME AND WHAT WRIST
(RIGHT/LEFT) WAS USED TO TAKE THE PULSE. ALSO WRITE DOWN ANYTHING
YOU NOTICE ABOUT YOUR PULSE. SUCH AS BEING WEAK, STRONG, OR MISSING
BEATS.

• THE RADIAL ARTERY IS AN EASY ARTERY TO USE WHEN CHECKING YOUR

HEART RATE DURING OR AFTER EXERCISE.

RESPIRATION

IS A PROCESS THAT OCCURS WHEN OXYGEN IS INHALED INTO THE LUNGS,

CONVERTED INTO ENERGY VIA A CHEMICAL REACTION AND EXPELLED AS
CARBON DIOXIDE. NORMAL RESPIRATION IS AN AUTOMATIC PROCESS AND DOES
NOT REQUIRE CONSCIOUS EFFORT. HOWEVER, IN THE CASE OF ILLNESS OR
TRAUMA, A VICTIM’S RESPIRATION RATE MAY BECON UNUSUALLY HIGH OR LOW
INDICATING THE NEED FOR IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE RESPIRATORY
RATE IS SIMPLY THE NUMBER OF BREATHS AN INDIVIDUAL TAKES PER MINUTE.

NORMAL RANGE: BY AGE

• NEWBORNS: 30-40 BREATHS PER MINUTE

• LESS THAN 1 YEAR: 30-40 BREATHS PER MINUTE

• 1-3 YEARS: 23-35 BREATHS PER MINUTE

• 3-6 YEARS: 20-30 BREATHS PER MINUTE

• 6-12 YEARS: 18-26 BREATHS PER MINUTE

• 12-17 YEARS: 12-20 BREATHS PER MINUTE

• ADULTS OVER 18: 12-20 BREATHS PER MINUTE

STEPS

• CONTACT AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM IMMEDIATELY IN THE EVENT

OF A SEVER TRAUMA OR MEDICAL CRISIS

• MEASURE AN INDIVIDUAL’S RESPIRATORY RATE WHILE HE/SHE IS AT

REST. TRY NOT TO LET THE VICTIM BECOME AWARE THAT YOU ARE
MONITORING RESPIRATIONS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A MORE RELIABLE COUNT

• OBSERVE THE RISE AND FALL OF THE VICTIM’S CHEST AND COUNT THE
NUMBER OF RESPIRATIONS OUT LOAD FOR ONE FULL MINUTE. ONE
RESPIRATION CONSISTS OF ONE COMPLETE RISE AND FALL OF THE CHEST, OR
THE INHALATION AND EXHALATION OF AIR. THE NORMAL RESPIRATORY RATE
FOR A HEALTHY ADULT AT REST IS 12 TO 29 BREATHS PER MINUTE.

• CATEGORIZE THE RHYTHM, EASE AND STRENGTH OF THE RESPIRATION.

NORMAL RESPIRATION CONSISTS OF DEEP, EVEN BREATHS DURING WHICH
THE RIB CAGE FULL CONTRACTS AND RELAXES. ABNORMAL RESPIRATION MAY
 APPEAR SHALLOW AND RAPID, LABORED, SHALLOW AND DEEP OR NOISY AND
MAY INDICATE ILLNESS OR INJURY.

• RECORD THE CURRENT TIME, RESPIRATORY RATE AND RESPIRATORY

CHARACTERISTICS, IF POSSIBLE.

• REPEAT ABOVE STEPS FOR MEASURING AND RECORDING RESPIRATION RATE

AND CHARACTERISTICS EVERY 10 MINUTES IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
MAKE A NOTE OF ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES AND RELAY THE INFORMATION
TO MEDICAL PERSONNEL.

TIPS

• IF FIRST AID IS BEING PERFORMED ON A VICTIM, MO ITOR RESPIRATION

IMMEDIATELY AFTER MONITORING HIS OR HER PULSE RATE. DO NOT INDICATE
TO THE VICTIM THAT YOU ARE NOW MONITORING RESPIRATION AS HE MAY
SUBCONSCIOUSLY CHANGE THE RATE, DEPTH PR STRENGTH OF HIS
BREATHING.

BODY TEMPERATURE

WHAT IS BODY TEMPERATURE?

BODY TEMPERATURE IS A MEASURE OF THE BODY’S ABILITY TO GENERATE

AND GET RID OF HEAT. THE BODY IS VERY GOOD AT KEEPING ITS TEMPERATURE
WITHIN A NARROW, SAFE RANGE IN SOITE OF KARGE VARIATIONS IN
TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE THE BODY.

WHEN YOU ARE NOT TOO HOT, THE BLOOD VESSELS IN YOUR SKIN
EXPAND (DILATE) TO CARRY THE EXCESS HEAT TO YOUR SKIN’S SURFACE. YOU
MAY BEGIN TO SWEAT, AND AS THE SWEAT EVAPORATES, IT HELPS COOL YOUR
BODY. WHEN YOU ARE TPP COLD, YOUR BLOOD VESSELS NARROW (CONTRACT)
SO THAT THE BLOOD FLOW TO YOUR SKIN IS REDUCED TO CONSERVE BODY
HEAT. YOU MAY START SHIVERING, WHICH IS INVOLUNTARY, RAPID
CONTRACTION OF THE MUSCLES. THIS EXTRA ACTIVITY WILL HELP GENERATE
MORE HEAT. UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THIS KEEPS YPUR BODY
TEMPERATURE WITHIN A NARROW, SAFE RANGE.

WHERE IS BODY TEMPERATURE MEASURED?

YOUR BODY TEMPERATURE CAN BE MEASURED UN MANY LOCATIONS ON

YOUR BODY. THE MOUTH, EAR, ARMPIT AND RECTUM ARE THE MOST COMMONLY
USED PLACES. TEMPERATURE CAN ALSO BE MEASURED KN YOUR FOREHEAD.

 WHAT IS THE NORMAL BODY TEMPERATURE?

MOST PEOPLE THINK OF A “NORMAL” BODY TEMPERATURE AS AN ORAL

TEMPERATURE OF 98.6F. THIS IS AN AVERAGE OF NORMAL BODY
TEMPERATURES. YOUR TEMPERATURE NAY ACTUALLY BE 1F (0.6C) OR MORE
ABOVE OR BELOW 98.6F. ALSO, YOUR NORMAL BODY TEMPERATURE CHANGES
BY AS MUCH AS 1F (0.6C) THROUGHOUT THE DAY, DEPENDING ON HOW ACTIVE
YOU ARE AND THE TIME OF DAY. BODY TEMPERATURES IS VERY SENSITIVE TO
HORMONE LEVELS AND MAY BE HIGHER OR LOWER WHEN A WOMAN IS
OVULATING OR HAVING HER MENSTRUAL PERIOD.

A RECTAL OR EAR (TYMPANIC MEMBRANE) TEMPERATURE READING IS 0.5

TO 1F (0.3C TO 0.6C) HIGHER THAN AN ORAL TEMPERATURE READING, A
TEMPERATURE TAKEN IN THE ARMPIT IS 0.5 TP 1F (0.3C TO 0.6C) LOWER THAN
AN ORAL TEMPERATURE READING.

PROCEDURE IN TAKING AN ORAL TEMPERATURE

• WASH YOUR HANDS

• RINSE THERMOMETER IN COLD WATER IF KEPT IN A CHEMICAL SO,UTILN,

AND WIPE DRY WITH TISSUE. RATIONALE: CHEMICAL TASTE IS BITTER.

• GRASPS THERMOMETER WITH THUM PB AND FOREFINGER AND SHAME

VIGOROUSLY BY FLICKING WRIST IN DOWNWARD MOTION TO LOWER MERCURY
LEVEL TO BELOW 95-96 DEGREES.

• CHECK TEMPERATURE READING ON THERMOMETER

• EXPLAIN PROCEDURE TO THE PATIENT.

• PLACE THERMOMETER IN PATIENT’S MOUTH UNDER TOUNGE AND ASK

PATIENT TO HOLD LIPS CLOSED.

• LEAVE IN PLACE 3 TO 5 MINUTES

• REMOVE THERMOMETER AND WIPE OT WITH TISSUE FROM FINGERS DOWN

TO BULB.

• READ TEMPERATURE BY ROTATING THERMOMETER UNTIL THE MERCURY

LEVEL IS CLEARLY VISIBLE. SHAKE THERMOMETER DOWN.

• WASH HANDS.

• RECORD PATIENT’S TEMPERATURE ACCORDING TO HOSPITAL

PROCEDURE.

BLOOD PRESSURE

BLOOD IS CARRIED FROM THE HEART TO ALL PARTS OF YOUR BODY IN

VESSELS CALLED ARTERIES. BLOOD PRESSURE IS TH EFORCE OF THE BLOOD
PUSHING AGAINST THE WALLS OF THE ARTERIES. EACH TIME THE HEART BEATS
(ABOUT 60-70 TIMES A MINUTE AT REST). IT PUMPS IUT BLOOD IN TO THE
ARTERIES. YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE IS AS ITS HIGHEST WHEN THE HEART BEATS,
PUMPING THE BLOOD. THIS IS CALLED SYSTOLIC PRESSURE. WHEN THE HEART
IS AT REST, BETWEEN BEATS, YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE FALLS. THIS IS DIASTOLIC
PRESSURE.

BLOOD PRESSURE IS ALWAYS GIVEN AS THESE TWO NUMBERS. THE

SYSTOLIC AND DIASTOLIC PRESSURES. BOTH ARE IMPORTANT. USUALLY THEY
ARE WRITTEN KN EABOVE OR BEFORE THE OTHER, SUCH AS 120/80 MMHG. THE
TOP NUMBER IS THE SYSTOLIC AND THE BOTTOM IS THE DIASTOLIC. WHEN THE
TWO MEASUREMENTS ARE WRITTEN DOWN, THE SYSTOLIC PRESSURE IS THE
FIRST OR TOP NUMBER, AND THE DIASTOLIC PRESSURE IS THE SECOND OR
BOTTOM NUMBER.