Mean Arterial Pressure
Enter systolic and diastolic blood pressures to compute MAP and pulse pressure. Use for shock resuscitation, hypertensive emergencies, and ICU monitoring.
How to Use This Calculator
Accurately measure blood pressure
Use arterial line readings in critical care or properly sized cuff with patient at heart level for noninvasive measurement.
Enter systolic and diastolic values
Ensure systolic pressure exceeds diastolic. MAP estimation assumes regular rhythm and standard conditions.
Analyse perfusion
Target MAP ≥65 mmHg in septic shock or ≥60–65 mmHg in most ICU patients, adapting to chronic hypertension or cerebrovascular disease.
Formula
Mean Arterial Pressure = (Systolic + 2 × Diastolic) ÷ 3
Pulse Pressure = Systolic − Diastolic.
For invasive waveforms, MAP is the area under the arterial pressure curve divided by the cycle length, approximated by the simplified formula above.
Full Description
Mean arterial pressure reflects average arterial pressure during a single cardiac cycle and correlates with organ perfusion. Critical care targets vary by condition: MAP ≥65 mmHg is standard for septic shock resuscitation, whereas chronic hypertensives may require higher thresholds to prevent renal or cerebral hypoperfusion. Pulse pressure provides insight into arterial stiffness and stroke volume. Integrate MAP with clinical assessment, serum lactate, and urine output when evaluating shock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this formula apply to tachycardia or arrhythmias?
It provides an estimate; invasive arterial lines offer more accurate MAP when beat-to-beat variability is high.
Should I average multiple readings?
Yes. Average several readings or use continuous monitoring to avoid misinterpretation due to transient fluctuations.
How is MAP targeted in neurocritical care?
Targets may be higher to maintain cerebral perfusion pressure; integrate with intracranial pressure monitoring when available.
Can I use arterial line MAP directly?
Yes. If an invasive arterial catheter is present, use the displayed MAP rather than the calculated value.