Millimeters of Mercury (mmHg) – Common in Medicine and Meteorology

Themillimeter of mercury (mmHg)is a unit of pressure based on the height of a mercury column. It is commonly used in medical contexts, particularly for measuring blood pressure, and in meteorology for atmospheric pressure.

History & Background

The mmHg became popular when mercury barometers were used to measure atmospheric pressure. Its continued use in medicine and meteorology attests to its practicality and historical significance.

Conversion Factors

• 1 mmHg ≈ 133.322 Pa
• 1 mmHg ≈ 0.133322 kPa
• 1 mmHg ≈ 0.00131579 atm

Applications

mmHg is used to monitor blood pressure, calibrate barometric readings, and analyze pressure changes in various scientific fields.

Interesting Facts

Normal human blood pressure is often cited in mmHg (e.g., 120/80 mmHg), making this unit familiar to healthcare professionals and patients alike.

Conclusion

Millimeters of mercury continue to be a vital unit in medicine and atmospheric sciences, providing a direct and understandable measure of pressure.