High blood pressure (known as hypertension) is a widespread condition which, if left untreated, can lead to serious consequences for your health. According to the guidelines, persistent hypertension can cause vascular damage (leading to ruptures of the vessels, called aneurysms), vascular lesions, clots and plaques (which are the main cause of embolisms, responsible for heart attacks), and organ damage.. If you are an at-risk patient, your doctor will advise you on how to monitor your blood pressure regularly. There are several ways to do this - to get started, read the first part of the steps.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Part One: Preparing for Blood Pressure Monitoring
Step 1. Understand the purpose of blood pressure monitoring
In addition to having their blood pressure measured in the doctor's office, doctors recommend that hypertensive patients monitor their blood pressure from home (self-measurement). Believe it or not, self-measurement of blood pressure has several advantages over monitoring in a doctor's office. Benefits which include:
- The elimination of false readings. Many people suffer from white coat anxiety - it is quite natural. However, nervousness can increase heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to false readings (known as the "white coat effect"). If you take your blood pressure at home, you will feel more relaxed.
- Creating a long-term data curve. Without going to the doctor's office every day for blood pressure monitoring, the readings taken by the doctor produce isolated data compared to a homogeneous series of readings obtained through a self-measurement. Carrying out self-measurements allows you to monitor more frequently (which follows your needs), which gives you more complete data that allows you to obtain long-term conclusions.
- Take action at the first signs. Frequently monitoring your blood pressure at home means that you will be able to register pressure changes before you get to the doctor. This is especially useful if, for example, you are taking a new drug that could cause pressure changes.
Step 2. Assess when home blood pressure monitoring is appropriate
Monitoring your blood pressure at home is not always necessary - if in doubt, consult your doctor. According to the guidelines, your doctor will recommend home blood pressure monitoring if you fall into one of the following cases:
- You have recently started antihypertensive treatment and want to evaluate its effectiveness.
- You have a condition that requires frequent monitoring (heart problems, diabetes, etc.)
- It is sometimes necessary during pregnancy.
- The doctor recorded high blood pressure values (to establish the possibility of white coat hypertension)
- You are elderly
- It is suspected that you have masked hypertension (basically the opposite of the white coat effect; in other words, you have low blood pressure in the doctor's office.
Step 3. Learn to measure your blood pressure
Sphingomanometers provide two measurements: systolic (also called "maximum") and diastolic (also called "minimum"). Sphingomanometers consist of a cuff (a cuff wrapped around the forearm) that momentarily cuts off blood flow. A stethoscope (or electronic device) monitors the "noise" of the blood flow. When blood flow is perceptible (in the form of a pulsation), the cuff gradually deflates and arterial flow resumes. Based on the cuff pressure reading and the time interval at which the blood flow is auscultable, the systolic and diastolic pressure are determined respectively. Blood pressure is measured in mm Hg ("millimeters of mercury"). For more information:
- The systolic pressure is the one recorded when the device senses the first heartbeat - in other words, the peak pressure recorded.
- The diastolic pressure is that read on the monitor when the blood pressure can no longer be felt.
Step 4. Choose the blood pressure monitor that best suits your needs
There are two medical devices on the market: the manual one (anaeroid) and the automatic ones. Both use the same principles to determine blood pressure values. Your choice must be based on the advice of your doctor and your personal preferences.
- A digital device has an automatically (in some cases manually) inflatable cuff connected to a monitor that shows the recorded blood pressure values. If the digital monitor is fully automatic, simply slip the arm into the sleeve and press the power button located on the monitor. Digital appliances are a great option due to their convenience and practicality.
- The anaeroid sphingomanometer is the device often used by doctors. The device has a pressure gauge (with a needle running along a graduated scale) connected to the inflatable cuff. Insert the cuff into the forearm and press the rubber bulb to inflate the cuff, then perform auscultation of the pulse with a stethoscope to record the blood pressure values. Anaeroid sphingomanometers are slightly more complicated than digital ones, but after a short practice they are also simple to use.
- On rare occasions, the doctor may prescribe blood pressure monitoring using a holter device. This device remains applied to the arm (usually for 1-2 days) and records blood pressure values at regular intervals. Considering that these devices are rarely used and do not require special precautions, this guide does not include instructions for their use.
Step 5. Prepare to measure blood pressure
Whichever device you are using, you need to follow a few simple steps to make sure you are relaxed and therefore the pressure detected is as low as possible. Before taking a blood pressure measurement:
- Stop any physical activity at least 30 minutes before taking the measurement.
- Do not eat or drink until at least 1 hour before. Food can activate your metabolism, and cold water can lower your body temperature, giving you false values.
- Empty your bladder. A full bladder could generate tension.
- Sit on a chair next to a coffee table. Stand with your back straight on the backrest and don't cross your legs.
- Place your forearm on the table at heart level with your palm facing up.
- The arm should be exposed. You can roll up the sleeve of your shirt, but take off your clothes if they are too tight on your arm.
Method 2 of 4: Second Part: Blood Pressure Monitoring
Method 3 of 4: = How to Use a Digital Device
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Step 1. Place the cuff on the brachial artery
This artery is located in the crook of the arm on the opposite side of the elbow, just below the biceps.
Step 2. Turn on the digital device and inflate the cuff
In some devices the cuff inflates automatically, in other cases you have to press the power button. Some models are equipped with a pump to manually inflate the cuff.
Step 3. Stay on hold
The device will electronically record your pulse for an accurate blood pressure measurement. Remain still and silent as the device reduces blood pressure and records blood pressure values. The systolic and diastolic pressure will appear on the display.
Step 4. Once you have finished reading, finish deflating the cuff
Some digital devices carry out this operation automatically at the end of the blood pressure reading. In other cases you have to press a button or open a small valve on the body of the pump to let the air still present in the sleeve flow out. Once this is done, remove the bracelet.
Step 5. Take note of the blood pressure obtained
The purpose of home blood pressure monitoring is to obtain a wide range of data that can help you determine an overall trend in your blood pressure. Use a notebook or record the data on your PC for easy comparison.
Method 4 of 4: = How to Use an Anaeroid Sphingomanometer
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Step 1. Place the cuff on the bare arm
Most hand tools have a Velcro strap for closing the cuff. Make sure the cuff is tight, but not too tight.
Step 2. Put on a stethoscope
Insert the headband of the instrument with the terminal toggles positioned in the ears, gently rest the head on the skin under the cuff. If necessary, turn the stethoscope head to the start position.
Step 3. Inflate the cuff
Quickly squeeze the rubber bulb by inflating the cuff until the display indicates an inflation pressure approximately 40 points higher than the last recorded systolic value. You will need to feel the cuff tighten your arm.
Step 4. Gradually deflate the cuff as you listen carefully
Using the release valve, deflate the cuff at a rate not exceeding 3mm / Hg per second. Stop when you feel the first heartbeat. This is the value of your systolic pressure.
Step 5. Continue to deflate the cuff
When you no longer feel your heartbeat, stop again. This is your diastolic blood pressure. The measurement is finished - you can now completely deflate the cuff and remove it.
Step 6. Take note of the recorded blood pressure values
As mentioned before, use a notebook or record the data in a file to be able to compare and consult them quickly.
