Checking your blood pressure regularly is a good idea. Unfortunately, many people suffer from "white coat hypertension," a state of anxiety that raises blood pressure when approaching a doctor with a stethoscope. Taking your blood pressure at home can limit or eliminate this problem and get more realistic results.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Equipment
Step 1. Sit down and open the blood pressure monitor kit
Stand next to a table and prepare the stethoscope, the manometer, the cuff and the pump called "bellows" being careful not to tangle the tubes.
Step 2. Sit at a table or desk where you can easily relax your arm so that when you bend your elbow, it is parallel to your heart
In this way you do not risk making a mistake by excess or defect.
Step 3. Wrap the band around the upper arm, sliding the top through the metal bar that is connected to the band
Pull up your sleeves if you have them long. You can put the headband on very thin clothes. Most of the bands have a Velcro closure, for easier attachment.
Some experts recommend using the left arm; others to test both arms. However, when you feel the pressure yourself, put the cuff on the non-dominant arm to be able to handle all operations with a sure hand
Step 4. Make sure the band is snug, but not too tight
If it is too loose, you cannot feel the artery and risk getting unreliable results. If, on the other hand, it is too tight you can create a "false hypertension".
Pulmonary hypertension can also occur if the band is too tight or too short in relation to the arm
Step 5. Put the end of the stethoscope on the arm (diaphragm)
It should be dome-shaped or flat, and rests directly on the skin on the inside of the arm just above the brachial artery. The edge of the diaphragm must be under the sleeve. Gently put the stethoscope's earbuds into your ears.
- Don't hold the diaphragm with your thumb; this finger has its own pulse and may confuse you when measuring.
- The best technique is to hold the diaphragm with index and middle fingers. That way you won't feel anything until you start inflating the band.
Step 6. Secure the gauge on a stable surface
If it is attached to the sleeve, remove it and place it on a hard book, for example. This makes it easier to take readings. It is important that the pressure gauge is firm and stable.
- Make sure you have good lighting so you can locate the gauge needle.
- Sometimes the pressure gauge is attached to the rubber bulb, in which case this step does not apply.
Step 7. Grab the bellows and close the valve
There must be no pressure loss before starting, otherwise you would get wrong measurements. Turn the valve clockwise until it stops.
It is equally important not to close the valve too tightly otherwise it will open abruptly and let the air out too quickly
Part 2 of 3: Measure Blood Pressure
Step 1. Inflate the cuff
Quickly squeeze the pump (bellows) until the needle on the pressure gauge indicates 180 mmHg. This is the pressure needed by the cuff to close the brachial artery and is why some experience discomfort.
Step 2. Open the valve
Gently turn it counterclockwise to release the air in the cuff. Turn it gradually and steadily. Keep an eye on the pressure gauge; for accurate measurement the needle must drop at a rate of 3 mmHg per second.
- Releasing the valve while holding the stethoscope's diaphragm in place could be a little tricky. Try to use the hand where you have the cuff to open the valve and the other to hold the stethoscope.
- If there is someone nearby, ask them to help you. An extra pair of hands can make the process a lot easier.
Step 3. Make a note of your systolic blood pressure
As the pressure inside the cuff drops, listen with the stethoscope, and as soon as you hear the sound of the pulse, take note of the corresponding value on the pressure gauge. This is the value of the systolic pressure.
- Systolic pressure is the force that blood exerts on the arterial walls after a heartbeat. It is also called "maximum" because it is the highest value.
- The medical name of the beat you hear is "Korotkoff Sound".
Step 4. Make a note of your diastolic blood pressure
Do not stop checking the pressure gauge while you continue to hear the pulse with the stethoscope. This sound gradually turns into a very intense "rustle". It is important to be aware of this change because it means that you are approaching the diastolic value. As soon as every noise stops, you have reached the diastolic pressure, read the value on the pressure gauge.
Diastolic pressure is the force that blood exerts on the arterial walls when the heart relaxes after a contraction. It is also called "minimum" because it is the lowest value
Step 5. Don't worry if you miss a measurement
You can pump the cuff again and repeat the operation.
- But don't do it too many times (just 2 or 3), as it can affect accuracy.
- Alternatively, you can move the cuff to the other arm and repeat.
Step 6. Check the pressure once more
Blood pressure can have many (sometimes very large) fluctuations; it is therefore useful to take at least two readings at a distance of 10 minutes to find a more accurate average value.
- If you want to be even more precise, measure your blood pressure a second time 5-10 minutes after taking the first one.
- It may be a good idea to switch arms for the second measurement, especially if the first gave abnormal values.
Part 3 of 3: Interpreting the Results
Step 1. Understand the meaning of the values
As soon as you have taken note of your blood pressure, it is right and important to know what the numbers mean. Use this guide as a guideline:
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Normal pressure:
systolic below 120 and diastolic below 80.
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Pre-hypertension:
systolic between 120 and 139, diastolic between 80 and 89.
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Hypertension-stage 1:
systolic between 140 and 159, diastolic between 90 and 99.
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Hypertension-stage 2:
systolic above 160 and diastolic above 100.
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Hypertensive crisis:
systolic over 180 and diastolic greater than 110.
Step 2. Don't worry if your blood pressure is low
Even if you find a value below 120/80, there is no cause for concern; if there are no particular symptoms, a pressure of 85/55 is still considered normal.
However, if you have dizziness, dizziness, dehydration, nausea, blurry vision and / or fatigue, you should see your doctor as this could be a sign of an underlying condition
Step 3. Know when therapy is needed
It is important to know that a single episode of high blood pressure does not mean hypertension. It could be the result of many factors.
- If you take your blood pressure after exercise, after eating salty foods, drinking coffee or smoking, or during a stressful period, your values could be very high. If the cuff is not suitable for your arm size, the results may be inaccurate. In summary, don't worry too much about a single episode, if the other measurements are within the norm.
- However, if your blood pressure is consistently 140/90 or higher, you should see your doctor to establish a therapy that usually involves a combination of diet and exercise.
- Medication use may also be considered if lifestyle changes don't help, your blood pressure is very high, or you have risk factors such as diabetes or heart disease.
- If you have a systolic above 180 or a diastolic above 110, wait a couple of minutes and try again. If the values are confirmed, you need help immediately; call 911 as you may be having a hypertensive crisis.
Advice
- At your next visit to the doctor, give him your measurement data. He could understand a lot from these results.
- Measure your blood pressure when you are very relaxed to get an idea of how far it can go. Make sure you do the same when you are upset, to know the value of your pressure when you are angry or frustrated.
- Check your blood pressure 15-30 minutes after exercising (or after meditation or other stress-fighting activity) to see if there is any improvement. You should notice an improvement, which will give you the motivation to keep exercising! Exercise and diet are key to regulating blood pressure.
- It may be a good idea to measure your blood pressure in different positions - try sitting, standing and lying down. These are called orthostatic pressures and are useful for understanding how your pressure varies according to position.
- Take note of the measurements. Write down the time of day you performed it and the conditions (on a full or empty stomach, before or after exercise, calm or restless).
- The first few times you use a blood pressure monitor, you will likely make mistakes and be tempted to stop trying. It takes a few tries to learn how to use it. Read the instructions, if any.
Warnings
- Your blood pressure rises when you smoke, eat or add caffeine. Measure it at least one hour after performing these activities.
- You can compare the values by measuring your blood pressure immediately after smoking and in a normal situation, as an incentive to quit smoking. The same goes for the consumption of caffeine and salty foods.
- Checking the pressure yourself without a digital instrument is not reliable. It's best if you get help from an experienced friend or family member.
