How to Take a Blood Pressure Reading

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How to Take a Blood Pressure Reading

• by
• Harold Worley

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• Just remember that you need to follow a few
  simple suggestions to get the best reading
  possible

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• Before a measurement, rest for five minutes and
  do not smoke, eat or exercise for half an hour. 

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• Sit in a chair in a quiet place and remove
  tight-fitting clothing from your left upper arm. 

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• Try to take your readings at the same time each
  day for consistency, and keep in mind that your
  measurements may vary considerably throughout the
  day.

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How to Take a Blood Pressure Reading

• Follow these simple steps

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• The cuff should be correctly assembled when it
  is removed from the box.  If not, pass the end of
  the cuff farthest from the tubing through the
  metal D-ring to form a loop.  The smooth cloth
  should be on the inside of the cuff loop, and the
  sewn-hook material should be on the outside.  The
  metal D-ring should not touch your skin.

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• Put your left arm through the cuff loop.  The
  bottom edge of the cuff should be approximately
  1/2" above the elbow.  The cuff tab or green cuff
  marker (depending on your monitor) should lie
  over the brachial artery on the inside of your
  arm.  Be sure the cuff tubing aligns with the
  center of the forearm as shown.

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• Pull on the end of the cuff to tighten it evenly
  around your arm.  Press the sewn hook material
  firmly against the pile side of the cuff.

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• Place your arm on a table with the cuff at the
  same height as your heart.  Relax your arm and
  turn your palm upward.

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• Press the on/off button. Wait for the Ready to
  Measure Symbol to appear before taking a
  measurement.

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• If your monitor has an inflation bulb, quickly
  squeeze it until the cuff inflates to
  approximately 30-40 mmHg above your systolic
  pressure (if you don't know your systolic
  pressure, inflate to 160-180 mmHg).  If the
  monitor displays and Error symbol, continue to
  increase the inflation level by 30-40 mmHg
  increments. Stop pumping, remain still and do not
  talk.  The cuff begins to deflate automatically.

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• When the Deflation Indicator symbol appears on
  the display, press the inflation bulb's Air
  Release button to deflate the cuff pressure
  completely.  Your blood pressure and pulse will
  display alternately

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• If your monitor does not have an inflation bulb,
  it has an automatic inflation/deflation system. 
  Just press the Start button, remain still and do
  not talk.  Your blood pressure and pulse will
  alternately display.

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• All wrist monitors feature an automatic
  inflation/deflation system.  Just wrap the cuff
  around your left wrist and press the Start
  button.

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• Remember to record your measurement for your
  doctor.