Tips To Measure Your Blood Pressure Correctly
To determine whether you have hypertension, a medical professional will take a blood pressure reading. How you prepare for the test, the position of your arm, and other factors can change a blood pressure reading by 10% or more. That could be enough to hide high blood pressure, start you on a drug you don’t really need, or lead your doctor to incorrectly adjust your medications.
National and international guidelines offer specific instructions for measuring blood pressure. If a doctor, nurse, or medical assistant isn’t doing it right, don’t hesitate to ask him or her to get with the guidelines.
Here’s what you can do to ensure a correct reading:
Don’t drink a caffeinated beverage or smoke during the 30 minutes before the test.
Sit quietly for five minutes before the test begins.
During the measurement, sit in a chair with your feet on the floor and your arm supported so your elbow is at about heart level.
The inflatable part of the cuff should completely cover at least 80% of your upper arm, and the cuff should be placed on bare skin, not over a shirt.
Don’t talk during the measurement.
Have your blood pressure measured twice, with a brief break in between. If the readings are different by 5 points or more, have it done a third time.
For more on getting your blood pressure under control, buy Controlling Your Blood Pressure, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.
Image: cheyennezj/Getty Images
Can You Take A Blood Pressure Monitor In Hand Luggage
If you are planning on travelling with a blood pressure monitor, you may be wondering if you can take it in your hand luggage. The good news is that you can, as long as the monitor is small enough to fit in your bag. This article will explain how to pack a blood pressure monitor so that it is safe and secure during your travels.
So, Can you take a blood pressure monitor in hand luggage?
Yes, you are allowed to bring a blood pressure monitor in your carry-on bag.
Lets dig into it and see where it takes us.
How To Use An Automated Blood Pressure Machine
The simplest way to measure your own blood pressure is to purchase an automated cuff. Automatic blood pressure machines are easy to use, and theyre helpful if you have any hearing impairments.
These types of blood pressure cuffs have a digital monitor that will display your blood pressure reading on a screen. You can purchase these online, at most grocery stores, or at a health food store.
The American Heart Association recommends an automated, upper arm blood pressure monitor for at-home use. To use your digital blood pressure monitor, carefully follow the instructions that come with the monitor. You can also take the monitor to your doctors office, or even your local pharmacy, for a demonstration.
You should also have a notebook to use as a blood pressure log. This can be helpful for your doctor. You can also a free blood pressure log from the AHA.
Automated blood pressure machines can give you a different reading than a manual blood pressure reading.
Bring your cuff to your next doctors appointment so you can compare the reading from your cuff to the reading thats taken at your doctors office. This can help you calibrate your machine and identify the blood pressure levels you should look for on your own device.
Even if you check your blood pressure at home, your doctor will still want to manually check it during appointments.
Recommended Reading: How To Manually Check Blood Pressure
Accuracy Of Map Sbp And Dbp Estimates
Scatterplots of paired MAP, SBP, and DBP values estimated using only the smartphone and measured using a brachial cuff sphygmomanometer, together with their BlandAltman plots, are shown in Fig. . The same analyses using those from the dedicated photoplethysmograph are shown in Fig. . The estimated MAP, SBP, and DBP from the smartphone and the dedicated photoplethysmograph were not correlated with their residuals, respectively . Shapiro-Wilk tests did not detect a strong violation of normality of the distribution in the residuals .
Figure 2
The accuracy of blood pressure estimation attained by the proposed method. Scatterplots of mean arterial pressure , systolic blood pressure , and diastolic blood pressure estimated using only the smartphone and measured using a brachial cuff sphygmomanometer . Solid line represents the regression line and its formula, together with r value, is shown in each scatterplot. Corresponding BlandAltman plots. Solid line and dashed lines represent fixed bias and M±1 standard deviation range, respectively. Average=/2, Difference=brachial estimate. The same analyses of but using data from the dedicated photoplethysmograph .
Where Can I Learn How To Take My Blood Pressure Myself
In Germany and other countries, people with high blood pressure can attend patient education courses that teach a number of things, including how to measure your blood pressure. As part of specialized disease management programs for people who have narrow coronary arteries , statutory health insurers offer additional healthcare services. These include patient education about high blood pressure. Some doctors practices donât offer these courses, though.
Also Check: What Causes Change In Blood Pressure
You May Like: What Can You Do To Lower Your Blood Pressure Immediately
In What Other Points Can I Feel The Pulse Of A Person
In the human body, there are 7 points where you can feel the pulse. Although the most well-known and used with the wrist or the neck, it can also be felt or measured anywhere where an artery passes close to the surface of the skin.
Use two fingers to apply light pressure on the site and you should be able to feel the pulse. When you find your pulse, count the number of beats for one minute, or count for 30 seconds and multiply by two.
Does Fiber Lower Blood Pressure
There appears to be a strong inverse relationship between hypertension and fiber intake, and the higher the blood pressure, the more adding fiber to the diet can help.
Were not sure of the exact mechanism, but we do know that fiber can help protect against metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol, all of which are related to high blood pressure. Lower total and LDL cholesterol is associated with better dilation of the endothelium , which lowers blood pressure by improving blood flow. Fiber also reduces oxidative stress, a process that can lead to cell and tissue damage and can thereby increase cardiovascular risk.
If youre looking for dietary fiber, heres a shortcut plants are naturally rich in fiber, while animal products have none. Unprocessed or lightly processed plant foods typically have much more fiber than highly processed foods like baked goods and those full of white flour and white sugar.
Also Check: How To Increase Blood Pressure
Apps To Track Blood Pressure
Although there are apps that promise to check your blood pressure without using equipment, this isnt an accurate or reliable method.
However, there are apps available that can help you track your blood pressure results. This can be helpful in identifying patterns in your blood pressure. Your doctor may use this information to determine if you require blood pressure medications.
Some examples of free blood pressure-monitoring apps include:
- Blood Pressure Monitor Family Litefor iPhone. You can enter your blood pressure, weight, and height, as well as track the medications you take.
- Blood Pressure for Android. This app tracks your blood pressure and features several statistical and graphical analysis tools.
- Blood Pressure Companion for iPhone. This app allows you to track your blood pressure as well as view graphs and trends on your blood pressure readings across several days or weeks.
These apps can help you quickly and easily track your blood pressure readings. Measuring your blood pressure regularly on the same arm can help you most accurately track your blood pressure readings.
How Often Should You Measure Your Blood Pressure
When and how often you take your readings will depend on your blood pressure. Speak to your doctor or nurse about whats suitable for you.
It can be useful to monitor your blood pressure closely to begin with, then less often but at regular intervals.
When you first start using your home monitor
When you first start using a home monitor, measure your blood pressure in the morning and evening, every day for a week.
Take three readings in the morning, one to two minutes apart, and the same again in the evening, and record all the readings. Take an average of the readings, but discard the first one if its much higher than the others. To take an average simply add the two readings together and divide by two. Divide by three if you use all three readings.
Ignore the first days readings altogether, because they might not be accurate as youre not familiar with your monitor yet.
At the end of the week you will have a useful picture of what your blood pressure is normally like.
Your doctor might ask you to keep a record like this when they first think you might have high blood pressure and would like to know more before making a .
After the first week
Once you have a record of your blood pressure over a week, you can take readings less often once every one to two weeks perhaps. Your doctor or nurse can talk to you about this, theres no need to measure it too often.
Don’t Miss: What Is Stage 2 Hypertension
How Do You Check Your Blood Pressure With Your Fingers
Most doctors recommend the use of a blood pressure machine to check blood pressure. An individual may check heart rate with their fingers, but not blood pressure. Data shows checking blood pressure using fingers may not be accurate though there is an obscure method to correlate the pulse reading with systolic blood pressure. Blood pressure must be always measured using validated equipment.
Place the fingers on the inside of the wrist to locate the pulse. Now, take two fingers and place them just below the wrist creases on the thumb side of the hand. A strong pulse felt at the wrist correlates to the systolic blood pressure of at least 80 mmHg. This method is not always correct and hence not recommended.
It is important to use the correct technique to obtain an accurate measurement. Blood pressure is the force the blood exerts on the sides of the blood vessels as it moves ahead and is an important indicator of health. The pulse will give the basic information required to estimate the systolic blood pressure . Keep in mind this is a very rough estimate and only indicates if the systolic blood pressure is not low. Blood pressure monitoring should be done with a cuff and a stethoscope. However, recent advances in technology have made budget-friendly automatic blood pressure monitors easily available in pharmacies.
How Do Health Care Professionals Measure My Blood Pressure
First, a health care professional wraps an inflatable cuff around your arm. The health care professional then inflates the cuff, which gently tightens on your arm. The cuff has a gauge on it that will measure your blood pressure.
The health care professional will slowly let air out of the cuff while listening to your pulse with a stethoscope and watching the gauge. This process is quick and painless. If using a digital or automatic blood pressure cuff, the health care professional will not need to use a stethoscope.
The gauge uses a unit of measurement called millimeters of mercury to measure the pressure in your blood vessels.
If you have high blood pressure, talk to your health care team about steps to take to control your blood pressure to lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Use this list of questions to ask your health care team pdf icon to help you manage your blood pressure.
Recommended Reading: How Does Kidney Disease Cause Hypertension
How Do I Know If My Monitor Is Accurate Or If I Am Using It Correctly
Once you buy your device, have your doctor check it for accuracy. They should check your monitor once a year. On your own, periodically check the tubing for cracks and leaks. Proper care and storage are necessary. Make sure the tubing is not twisted when you store it. Keep it away from heat.
Ask your doctor or nurse to teach you how to use your blood pressure monitor correctly. This will help you achieve good results in controlling your blood pressure.
How To Measure The Risk Of Hypertension Using A Hand Grip Dynamometer
If you dont have a grip at home, is there a simple way to self-measure the blood pressure?
If you have a hand grip dynamometer in your home, you can test whether you are at risk for high blood pressure. The grip strength is closely related to hypertension. If the measured value of the grip strength is less than 20.53 kg in women and less than 35.07 kg in men, it is in the high blood pressure risk group.
Also Check: Does Sugar Cause High Blood Pressure
Determining Maximum Inflation Pressure
Healthcare providers determine the maximum inflation pressure before they take blood pressure. The maximum inflation pressure is the number on the sphygmomanometer that the cuff is inflated to when measuring blood pressure. If you do not determine the maximum pressure inflation, an auscultatory gap could go unrecognized, and as a result the blood pressure could be underestimated .
An auscultatory gap is a silent interval when the Korotkoff sounds go absent and then reappear while you are deflating the cuff during blood pressure measurement. This gap is an abnormal finding and can occur due to arterial stiffness and arteriosclerotic disease. It is typically observed in people with a history of hypertension who have been treated with prolonged antihypertensive medication.
To determine the maximum inflation pressure, start by palpating the brachial or radial pulse while inflating the cuff. Inflate the cuff 30 mm Hg quickly past the point when you obliterate the pulse . If you still cannot feel the pulse, use that value to start auscultating that value is the maximum inflation pressure number.
When taking blood pressure, if an auscultatory gap is observed, document the first systolic sound and diastolic sound only. Report the presence of an auscultatory gap in narrative notes.
What Items Cannot Be Carried In Hand Luggage
This is a question that many people have when they are packing for a flight. There are a few items that are not allowed in hand luggage, such as liquids, gels, aerosols, pastes, lotions, creams, aerosols, aerosols with a capacity greater than 100ml. These items must be placed in your checked luggage. Other items that are not allowed in hand luggage include sharp objects, such as knives, scissors, and razor blades. These items must also be placed in your checked luggage.
Read Also: How To Fix Low Blood Pressure
Multiple Linear Regression Analyses
The results of multiple linear regression analyses using brachial ln MAP, ln SBP, and ln DBP as independent variables and using ln HR and ln mNPV derived using only the smartphone as dependent variables are summarized in Table . The same analyses replacing data from the smartphone with data from the dedicated photoplethysmograph are shown in Table .
Table 2 Multiple linear regression analyses of ln =a×ln +b×ln +constant using data from the smartphone and the dedicated photoplethysmograph .
S On How To Take A Blood Pressure Manually
Here are the steps to take a manual blood pressure. Note: Before taking a patients blood pressure, always verify the specific steps required by your healthcare facility or nursing school, as guidelines or protocols may change over time.
1. Perform hand hygiene and gather your supplies.
- Supplies needed: stethoscope, sphygmomanometer , cleaning supplies, towels or pillow for support
- Tip: always use an appropriately sized blood pressure cuff
2. Have the patient sitting or lying down with their back supported. Their arm should be positioned at heart level. If necessary, use towels or a pillow to support the arm, and make sure the palms are facing up . Be sure the legs are also uncrossed. For best results, the patient should urinate before the procedure, avoid eating or drinking anything for 30 minutes before the measurement is taken, and should remain quiet .
- Find the brachial artery near the proximal portion of the elbows bend :
- This is the most common site for checking the blood pressure and is a major artery in the upper arm that divides into the radial and ulnar artery.
- To find this artery, extend the elbow joint and have the palm facing upward. The pulse point is found near the top of the cubital fossa, which is a triangular area that is in front of the elbow.
5. Place your stethoscope in your ears, palpate the brachial artery again, and place the bell of the stethoscope lightly on the brachial pulse site .
11. Remove the cuff from the patients arm.
You May Like: What Is Good Blood Pressure Reading
Can I Take Monitor In Hand Luggage
If youre planning on traveling with a monitor, you may be wondering if you can take it with you in your hand luggage. The answer is yes, you can! However, there are a few things to keep in mind when packing a monitor in your carry-on bag.
First, make sure that the monitor is well-protected. Wrap it in a soft cloth or place it in a padded case. This will help prevent it from being damaged during the journey.
Second, be aware of the size restrictions for carry-on luggage. Most airlines allow passengers to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item, such as a purse or laptop. The size of the carry-on bag must not exceed 45 linear inches . If your monitor is larger than this, you will need to check it in.
Finally, remember to pack all the necessary cables and adapters in your carry-on bag. This way, you can easily set up your monitor when you arrive at your destination.
Furthermore, Hi Abhishek, you can carry the Monitor/CPU in check-in baggage. Please note, one piece of hand baggage of up to 7 kg and one piece of check-in baggage of up to 20 kg shall be allowed per passenger for domestic travel.