What Does My Blood Pressure Reading Mean
Normal blood pressure is 120/80 or lower. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If your blood pressure is between 120/80 and 140/90, you may have something called prehypertension. This means that you are at risk for high blood pressure.
| Systolic pressure | ||
| High blood pressure: Stage 2 | 160 or higher | 100 or over |
*If you have diabetes or kidney disease, high blood pressure ranges may be lower than for other people. Or, if you are older than 65, goal blood pressure may be higher. Talk to your doctor about what is considered high blood pressure for you.
What Do You Need In Taking A Blood Pressure
Stethoscope – If you are a beginner, it is preferred that you use a good quality stethoscope because the sounds are easy to miss if you arent used to them.
Manual blood pressure cuff with a sphygmomanometer – One more time, sfeeg-mo-mano-meter. There ya go!
The first thing you’re going to want to do is to find the brachial artery.
To find that, locate the front part of your elbow or what we call the Antecubital Fossa and feel your pulse located a little to the side of the midline.
Try practicing locating this pulse on both of your arms and familiarize where it is positioned.
It is easy to find the brachial pulse in healthy people, but harder to find in the emaciated, the overweight and the elderly. So what I normally do is I take my stethoscope, put it in the middle of the Antecubital Fossa, move it to the side a little bit, and try to listen to it.
How To Use An Automated Blood Pressure Machine
The easiest way to take your own blood pressure is to purchase an automated cuff. Automatic blood pressure machines are the easiest 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 automatic, upper arm blood pressure monitor for at-home use. To use your digital blood pressure monitor, follow the instructions that come with it. You can also take the monitor to your doctors office, or even your local pharmacy, for a demonstration.
You should also purchase a small notebook to start a blood pressure log. This can be helpful for your doctor. You can a free blood pressure log from the AHA.
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 your doctor takes. This can help you calibrate your machine and identify levels you should look for on your own device.
Its also important to purchase a high-quality machine and monitor for errors. Even if you check your blood pressure at home, your doctor will still want to manually check it during appointments.
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What Is Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing on the walls of your arteries. Your BP results are written as 2 numbers. The first, or top, number is called systolic BP. This is the pressure caused by your heart pushing blood out to your body. The second, or bottom, number is called diastolic BP. This is the pressure when your heart relaxes and fills back up with blood. Ask your healthcare provider what your BP should be. For most people, a good BP goal is less than 120/80.
Tips For Getting An Accurate Blood Pressure Reading
To accurately monitor your blood pressure over time, you shouldn’t just plop down in a chair whenever to do a reading. Instead, you should implement some simple practices that help ensure accuracy.
1. Take your blood pressure at the same time of day for every new recording.
2. Avoid caffeine and alcohol at least 30 minutes prior to your reading.
3. Avoid exercise within 30 minutes of taking your blood pressure.
4. Sit up straight and be still throughout the measurement.
5. Take multiple measurements and record all of the results with the date and time.
6. Don’t wear the blood pressure cuff over clothes.
Your blood pressure should be easy to read on a digital monitor, like this one.
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Instructions For Case Studies
In our case studies you will be able to use a blood pressure cuff simulator. Using it is similar to using an actual cuff. Follow these steps: 1) Inflate the cuff by pressing the ‘Inflate Cuff’ button several times 2) Deflate the cuff by selecting one of the ‘Open Valve’ settings 3) Close the valve 4) Read the blood pressure values while listening for Korotkoff Sounds 5) Switch between dial and mercury sphygmomanometers 6) Please note that the image to the left is not a working simulation. It is an image for instructions only. Use our cases for the working simulation.
What Is Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
If a doctor recommends ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, you will need to wear a blood pressure cuff for 24 hours. It’s connected to a small, portable measuring device that automatically measures your blood pressure at set times and records the readings.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is used, for example, to see whether blood pressure levels vary greatly over the course of the day and night or whether they are constantly elevated. During those 24 hours, you can do all of the usual things you would otherwise do over the course of the day. If you are especially active at certain times, you can make a note in a diary. Then the doctor has a better idea of how to interpret the recorded values when evaluating them.
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How To Take Your Blood Pressure At Home
Tips for using a blood pressure cuff or wireless blood pressure monitor for accurate readings.
Taking your blood pressure at home is easy with a digital blood pressure monitor.
Every time your heart beats, it pumps blood through your circulatory system, putting pressure on your blood vessels — the veins, arteries and capillaries. This is known as your blood pressure and without it, your bones, muscles, organs and other tissues wouldn’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need. Your body’s various systems, like the immune and digestive systems, also wouldn’t function without blood pressure.
But there can always be too much of a good thing, right? High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the force against your blood vessel walls becomes too high, which can kick your heart into overdrive and lead to serious health problems like heart attack and stroke.
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What Equipment Do I Need To Measure My Blood Pressure At Home
To measure your blood pressure at home, you can use either an aneroid monitor or digital monitor. Choose the type of monitor that best meets your needs. Look at the following features when you select a monitor.
- Size: The right cuff size is very important. The cuff size you need is based on the size of your arm. You can ask the doctor, nurse, orpharmacist to help you. Blood pressure readings can be wrong if your cuff is the wrong size.
- Price: Cost may be a key factor. Home blood pressure units vary in price. You may want to shop around to find the best deal. Keep in mind that pricey units may not be the best or most accurate.
- Display: The numbers on the monitor should be easy for you to read.
- Sound: You must be able to hear your heartbeat through the stethoscope.
Tests show that finger and wrist devices do not always provide correct measurements. These devices are sensitive to placement and body temperature. They also are expensive and can cost more than $100.
Aneroid monitor
The aneroid monitor manually checks your blood pressure. It has a gauge that you read by looking at a pointer on the dial. The cuff goes around your upper arm and you squeeze a rubber bulb to inflate it by hand.
Digital monitor
Inflation of the cuff is either automatic or manual, depending on the model. Deflation is automatic. Digital monitors are good for hearing-impaired patients, since there is no need to listen to your heartbeat through the stethoscope.
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What If I Dont Have Equipment
You dont need a blood pressure cuff to take your resting heart rate, which is another measurement that helps indicate heart health. Digital monitors usually display both blood pressure and heart rate, but you can determine the latter on your own by checking your pulse by hand. Your pulse is how many times your heart pumps per minute.
First, locate the artery below the thumb on the inside of your wrist and place two fingers there. Count how many times you feel your heartbeat over a 15-second period, and then multiply your count by four to get your resting heart rate.
When youre checking pulse by hand, youre looking for more than just a number. Youre also checking for a regular rhythm, which indicates a strong pulse.
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 don’t offer these courses, though.
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How To Take A Blood Pressure Reading Manually And Digitally
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Arteries carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body. Your blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day.Blood pressure is considered a vital sign and is important to overall health because of its direct relationship to heart function, the functioning of arteries and other blood vessels, and maintaining blood flow so that all limbs and organs receive oxygen carried in the blood. Two opposite forces create blood pressure: 1) the pumping force of the heart as it sends blood to the arteries and into circulation in the body, and 2) the force arteries exert against the blood flow. The two types of pressure are measured as two separate numbers. Pressure measured as the heart contracts to send blood out through arteries to the body is systolic pressure, the upper number and pressure measured as the heart rests in-between beats is diastolic pressure, the lower number
The five blood pressure ranges as recognized by the American Heart Association are:
Normal
Blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mm Hg are considered within the normal range. If your results fall into this category, stick with heart-healthy habits like following a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.
Elevated
Hypertension Stage 1
Hypertension Stage 2
Hypertensive crisis
Your blood pressure numbers and what they mean
How Do I Measure My Blood Pressure
Before you check your blood pressure, you should:
- Wait 30 minutes after eating or using caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco products.
- Go to the bathroom and empty your bladder.
- Rest for 3 to 5 minutes and do not talk.
- Sit in a comfortable position, with your legs and ankles uncrossed and your back supported.
- Elevate your left arm to the level of your heart. Place it on a table or desk and sit still.
- Wrap the cuff around the upper part of your bare arm. The cuff should be smooth and snug. There should be enough room for you to slip one fingertip under the cuff.
- Check the placement of the cuff. The bottom edge of it should be 1 inch above the crease of your elbow.
Below are the steps to take to use an aneroid monitor.
Below are the steps to take to use a digital monitor.
- Turn the power on to start the unit.
- On the automatic models, the cuff will inflate by itself with a push of a button. On the manual models, you have to inflate the cuff. You do this by squeezing the rubber bulb at a rapid rate.
- After the cuff inflates, the automatic device will slowly let air out.
- Look at the display screen to get your blood pressure reading. It will show your systolic and diastolic pressures. Write down the measurement in your record. The systolic pressure goes in front of the diastolic pressure. For example, 120/80.
- Press the exhaust button to release all of the air from the cuff.
- If you need to repeat the measurement, wait 2 to 3 minutes before starting.
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Where Can I Get My Blood Pressure Checked
You can get your blood pressure measured
- By a health care team member at a doctors office.
- At a pharmacy that has a digital blood pressure measurement machine.
- With a home blood pressure monitor that you can use yourself.
Take this form pdf icon with you on your first blood pressure visit to record important blood pressure-related information.
How To Take A Manual Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure is one of the four vital signs we regularly take from patients. It tells us a lot about what is going on with our patients so taking accurate blood pressure is not only a handy skill but also an important one.
Shout out to pinkcubs1, who commented on my YouTube video, suggesting that I make a video on how to take a manual blood pressure.
This one’s for you.
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How To Take Your Blood Pressure
The easiest and quickest way to measure your blood pressure is to purchase an automated cuff. This type of blood pressure has a digital monitor that will display your blood pressure reading on a screen.
The blood pressure readings from the digital machine are different from the manual one. How to get this digital blood pressure? Just purchase these online, or find them at most grocery stores, or a health food store.
Here is how to take blood pressure using a digital blood pressure monitor.
Step 1. Place your pulse. Locate your pulse bu give a little press on your index and middle finger slightly to the inside center of the bend of the elbow. In this step, you can feel the pulse of your brachial artery. If you are unable to place a pulse, located the arm cuff on a digital monitor in the same general area.
Step 2. Secure the Cuff. Insert the cuff end through the metal loop and slide the cuff onto your arm. The bottom of the cuff should be about one inch above the bend of your elbow. You can use velcro wrap to make it fit.
Step 3. Put the stethoscope in your ears and tilt it slightly. This aims to get the best sound.
Step 4. Then, hold the digital blood pressure machine in your right hand. Then, press the power button and wait until the monitor shows symbols followed by zero. Keep the cuff inflate until the gauge reads about 30 points above your expected systolic pressure.
How To Use A Blood Pressure Cuff At Home
You could always inflate a manual sphygmomanometer with a hand pump and count Korotkoff sounds in your head, but why would you when wireless, digital blood pressure monitors are so readily available these days? They don’t have to be expensive, either: Some models sell for less than $30 a unit.
Plus, you’re way more likely to get an accurate blood pressure reading if you use a digital cuff — there’s less room for error. To take your blood pressure at home with a digital blood pressure monitor, all you have to do is:
1. Slide the blood pressure cuff onto your upper arm and secure it so that it sits snugly about one inch above the crease of your elbow.
2. If you have an automatic model, simply push the button that inflates the cuff. If you have a manual model, use the hand pump to inflate the cuff.
3. After the cuff fully inflates, air will automatically start flowing back out.
4. Look at the screen to get your blood pressure reading.
5. If you need to repeat the measurement, wait a few minutes before attempting a new reading.
At-home, digital blood pressure monitors can be worn on the wrist or upper arm, depending on what model you choose.
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Can You Check Your Own Blood Pressure At Home
If youd like to check your own blood pressure at home, its best to first check with your doctor about how theyd like you to monitor and record it. For example, your doctor may prefer you to check your blood pressure: The easiest way to take your own blood pressure is to purchase an automated cuff.
Introduction: How To Manually Take Blood Pressure
Introduction
Blood pressure is an important indicator of health. Knowing one’s blood pressure is the first step to preventing heart disease. Though most physicians take blood pressure using an automatic blood pressure monitor, knowing how to use a manual blood pressure monitor is an important skill for anyone interested in health. If you or someone you know is at risk for high or low blood pressure, it may be beneficial to invest in a blood pressure monitor for home use.
Materials
- test subject
Cost
The cost of an inexpensive manual blood pressure monitor is $16.99 at the local drug store.
Time
5 minutes or less
Safety Considerations
Do not keep blood pressure cuff inflated for long periods of time as this will limit blood circulation to the cuffed arm.
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