How Do I Measure My Blood Pressure?
Posted by: bloodpressuremonitorsaleIf you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, pre-hypertension or are at risk for hypertension, you should monitor your blood pressure regularly. Monitoring your blood pressure on a regular basis and logging it will help you keep track of how your pressure fluctuates. That way, you can show it to your doctor who can use it as a device for determining the effectiveness of your medication or to decide if you have a blood pressure problem. Taking your pressure at home is much more convenient than going to the doctor or hospital every day, so purchasing a blood pressure monitor is a wise investment.
Types of Monitors
When you are looking for a blood pressure monitor to measure your pressure at home, you can use either a digital or an aneroid monitor. The digital monitor can have either a manual cuff or an automatic one. When the cuff inflates and takes your blood pressure, the reading will flash on a screen that is on the monitor. The aneroid monitor is the “old fashioned” blood pressure monitor, the type you often see in a doctor’s office. It has a dial gauge that uses a pointer to indicate the reading. The cuff is inflated manually, by squeezing a rubber bulb.
Using the Aneroid Monitor
Some people prefer the aneroid monitor because it is very portable. You can get a cuff with a built in stethoscope which means that you will not have to buy one separately. This also makes it easier to carry around and to handle. Some units are constructed so that the cuff can be put on with just one hand. It is lower in price than digital monitors.
The aneroid monitor, however, can be easily damaged, making it less accurate. Additionally, if it does not have the metal ring for putting on the cuff with one hand, it is not very easy to use. Some people may have a difficult time squeezing the rubber bulb. Finally, if the person using the monitor is hearing impaired, this type may not be a good fit for them because they could not hear the heart sounds through the stethoscope.
Using a Digital Monitor
The digital blood pressure monitor is a popular choice, mainly because it is automatic. The digital readout makes it easy to see the measurement since the numbers are displayed on the screen. Some electronic digital monitors will keep a record of multiple pressure readings while others give a paper printout for record keeping.
Other features that make the digital monitor easier than the aneroid unit include an error indicator and often automatic inflation. Some units do have manual inflation of the cuff, but most are automatic. Furthermore, hearing impaired patients usually find this type of model preferable because they don’t need to hear the heart sounds in order to get a blood pressure reading.
The digital blood pressure monitor can have a few drawbacks. Accuracy can be affected by an irregular heart rate or by body movements. Digital monitors also require batteries which is an added expense. Some units are designed to be used only with the left arm which can be difficult for some patients. Digital monitors can be expensive, costing more than aneroid monitors.
Before taking your blood pressure reading, you should do the following:
1) 30 minutes before taking your reading, refrain from using tobacco, alcohol or caffeine
2) Go to the bathroom before you take your reading
3) Rest, including not talking, for 3 to 5 minutes prior to taking your blood pressure.
4) Sit in a comfortable chair that supports your back, in a comfortable position, keeping your legs and ankles uncrossed.
5) Place your arm on a desk or table, raised to heart level. Sit still.
6) Wrap the cuff (make sure it is the right size for your arm) around your bare upper arm. It should fit snug and smooth but you should still be able to fit your fingertip under the cuff.
The bottom edge of the blood pressure cuff should be one inch above the area where your elbow bends.
What do the Numbers Mean?
It is important to know what the numbers mean when you take your blood pressure. A normal blood pressure reading is 120/80. A high blood pressure reading is 140/90. If your blood pressure falls between 120/80 and 140/90, this indicates that you have a condition called pre-hypertension (the early stages of high blood pressure). Only your doctor can give you a diagnosis of high blood pressure. They will monitor your pressure for several days at different times in order to determine if you do indeed have high blood pressure.
If you do have pre-hypertention or high blood pressure, you should get a blood pressure monitor and check your pressure regularly. Keep a log of your reading and see your doctor on a regular basis.
