Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Regular blood pressure measurement is recommended, but you can hardly measure the exact results if you have "fear of doctor" - blood pressure suddenly increases every time you see a medical staff wearing a standard stethoscope. be examined for me. So measuring your own blood pressure can eliminate this fear and help you find an average blood pressure in everyday life.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Installing a kit

1. 

   Open the box of blood pressure measuring device. Sit at a table for a convenient posture for assembly. Remove the air bag, stethoscope, pressure gauge, and squeeze ball from the box, taking care when disassembling the pipes.

2. 

   
   
   Raise arms at heart level. Raise your arms to a height so that when your elbow is bent, it is at the same level as your heart. This is to ensure that your blood pressure reading is not higher or lower than the actual value due to the effects of blood weight. It is also important to rest your arms while reading numbers, so you must rest your elbows on a flat surface.

3. 

   
   
   Wrap the air bag around your biceps. Most air bags come with a padlock for easy placement. If you are wearing a shirt with long sleeves or thick fabric, you must lift it up, which can only be wrapped around very thin sleeves. The lower edge of the bag should be about 2.5cm from the elbow.
   • Some experts recommend measuring blood pressure in the left arm, others suggest measuring both hands. However, during blood pressure practice you should use your left hand if you're right-handed and vice versa.

4. 

   
   
   Wrap the air bag tightly, but not too tightly. If the cuff is loose, the air bag pressure on the artery is unsatisfactory, then the blood pressure reading will be inaccurate. Conversely, if you wrap it too tightly, it will lead to "high blood pressure due to air bag wrap" and inaccurate readings.
   • This also happens when the airbag is too short or too narrow for the biceps.

5. 

   Place the end of the stethoscope on your arm. The end of the stethoscope (also known as the diaphragm) should be pressed against the skin inside the arm. The diaphragm edge is located just below the airbag and above the arm artery. Then you gently place the two headphones in your ears.
   • Do not hold the tip of the stethoscope with your thumb because the thumb has its own pulse, making it difficult to determine the correct reading.
   • It's best to keep the tip of the stethoscope in place with your index and middle fingers, so you won't hear a crash until you start pumping air into the bag.

6. 

   Clamp the watch against a fixed surface. If the pressure gauge is clamped to the air bag you should remove it and attach it to something more stable like a hardcover book. Then you can place the pressure gauge right in front of you to make it easier to see. It is important to keep the watch in place.
   • Make sure there is enough light to help you see the needle and pressure readings clearly before starting the test.
   • Sometimes the pressure gauge is attached to the rubber bulb, when this step is not followed.

7. 

   Hold the bulb and tighten the valve. You must completely close the valve before starting the measurement so that air cannot escape during the pump, to avoid erroneous readings. Fully turn the valve closed clockwise.
   • Do not tighten the valve too tightly, otherwise, when you need to open it, you will turn too much and the air expels too quickly.
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Part 2 of 3: Starting to measure blood pressure

1. 

   Pump air into the bag. Squeeze the bulb quickly to tighten the air bag, and squeeze repeatedly until the dial is 180mmHg. The pressure in the bag will press on a large artery in the biceps, temporarily interrupting the flow of blood. That is why the airbag often makes us uncomfortable when we measure blood pressure.

2. 

   Drain valve. Gently turn the valve on the bulb counter-clockwise so that the air is drained out steadily but slowly. Always look at the watch, for accurate results you should vent to let the hands run at a speed of 3mm / sec.
   • Discharge the valve while holding the stethoscope can be a little difficult, so it is recommended that you release the valve with your hand wrapped in the air bag and hold the stethoscope with your other hand.
   • If someone else is nearby you should ask them for help, this will make it much easier to take your blood pressure.

3. 

   Pay attention to the systolic blood pressure. While the pressure is decreasing, use the stethoscope to hear a knock or knock. As soon as you hear the first crash you must record the pressure value on the meter at that moment, this is the systolic pressure.
   • This value is the pressure exerted by the blood on the artery walls after the heart beats or contracts. This is the larger of the two pressure values ​​to be measured and recorded in the high pressure position.
   • People also call the sound you hear is "Korotkoff".

4. 

   Pay attention to the diastolic blood pressure. Keep looking at the pressure gauge while concentrating on hearing the crashing sounds. Eventually the strong banging will turn into a "puff" sound, you must watch for this change as it shows the needle is about to point to the diastolic blood pressure. As soon as the swelling subsides and you begin to hear nothing, the pressure reading should be recorded on the meter, which is the diastolic blood pressure.
   • This value is the pressure exerted by the blood on the artery walls after the heart relaxes between contractions. It is the smaller of the two pressure values ​​to be measured and recorded in the low pressure position.

5. 

   Don't worry if you miss out on a value. In the event that you cannot determine either of the blood pressure values, simply re-pump a little bit of air into the bag to find that reading.
   • Do not do it more than twice as the result may be inaccurate.
   • Instead, remove the airbag to measure the blood pressure on the other hand, and repeat the whole procedure.

6. 

   Check your blood pressure again. Blood pressure varies from minute to minute (sometimes very quickly), so if you take it twice in ten minutes, the average result will be more accurate.
   • For accurate results, check your blood pressure a second time 5-10 minutes after the first.
   • Take the second blood pressure reading on your other hand, especially if the first reading seems abnormal.
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Part 3 of 3: Results interpretation

1. 

   Understand the meaning of the readings. After taking your blood pressure values, you must understand what they reflect. Please refer to the instructions below:
   • Normal blood pressure: Systolic blood pressure below 120 and diastolic pressure below 80.
   • Pre-high blood pressure: The systolic pressure was between 120 and 139, the diastolic pressure was between 80 and 89.
   • Stage 1 high blood pressure: The systolic pressure was between 140 and 159, the diastolic pressure was between 90 and 99.
   • Stage 2 high blood pressure: Systolic pressure above 160 and diastolic pressure above 100.
   • High blood pressure: Systolic pressure above 180 and diastolic pressure above 110.

2. 

   Don't worry if your blood pressure is low. Even if your blood pressure reading is much lower than the "normal" standard of 120/80, that's usually not a sign of concern. Assuming you have a blood pressure reading of 85/55 mmHg, this value will be acceptable, as long as there are no symptoms of low blood pressure.
   • However, if you experience symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, unable to concentrate, cold and wet skin, shortness of breath, dehydration, nausea, blurred vision, and / or fatigue, you should go. See your doctor right away because low blood pressure may be the result of another more serious condition.

3. 

   Know when to get treatment. You must understand that just a high reading is not necessarily a sign that you have high blood pressure, but it could be the result of many different factors.
   • If you measure your blood pressure after exercising, eating salty foods, drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, or during a stressful time, that value may be high but not a true reflection of your normal fitness. If the cuff is too loose or too tight, too large or too small for body size, the reading will not be accurate. So you shouldn't worry about individual readings, especially if your blood pressure returns to normal the next time you measure it.
   • However, if your blood pressure is consistently high at 140/90 mmHg or higher, you should see your doctor for a treatment plan, usually they will ask you to change your diet and exercise.
   • They may also consider giving you medication if your lifestyle changes are still not working, your blood pressure is too high or you have other risk factors such as diabetes or heart disease.
   • If your systolic blood pressure is 180 or higher or your diastolic pressure is 110 or higher, wait a few minutes and then repeat the measurement. If the next test still shows high results, you must go to the emergency room right away because you may have high blood pressure.
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Advice

• Check your blood pressure about 15-30 minutes after exercising (meditation or other stress-relieving activities) to gauge your progress on your measurements. If there is improvement, it will be the motivation for you to continue to pursue the practice. (Like dieting, exercise is key to blood pressure control.)
• You should also measure your blood pressure in different body positions: standing, sitting, and lying down (perhaps need someone to help you). These values ​​help you assess postural changes in blood pressure.
• Accept that you will make mistakes and get annoyed the first time you practice using a blood pressure monitor. You have to practice measuring a few times to get used to how to use the device. Most kits have instructions attached, so you should read them carefully and look at the pictures for the instructions.
• Measure your blood pressure when you feel completely relaxed, then you will measure the lowest blood pressure value. You should also try to take your blood pressure when you are angry to see how high it can be when you are angry or upset.
• Keep a diary of your measured blood pressure. Note when and when you take your blood pressure, take it before or after eating and exercising, or when you are agitated. Show your doctor this diary during your next visit.
• Check your blood pressure right after you smoke, the high blood pressure will be the motivation for you to quit smoking. (Similar to caffeine if you know you are addicted to coffee or caffeinated drinks; if you like salty crackers, you should also take your blood pressure after eating salty foods.)

Warning

• Self-measuring your blood pressure with a myometric blood pressure monitor can be difficult to perform and results may not always be reliable. It is better to ask a family member or friend who has experience using this tool for help.