To get our blood pressure checked, all of us run to our nearest doctor as soon as we can. Your blood pressure gives clues about the amount of work that the heart does in order to pump the blood via arteries. But, let me tell you you can monitor your own blood pressure at home on a regular basis.
Before learning about blood pressure in detail, let’s look at what blood pressure tells about your overall health. Now. If you have high blood pressure which is also called hypertension, it can damage your brain, kidneys, and even the heart.
Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, occurs when the reading appears to be two numbers. It usually occurs when the reading is 90/60.
If you want to learn more about low pressure treatment at home then give it a read!
Table of Contents
How to Measure Blood Pressure – A Few Factors to Focus On
Well, guys before we dig deep into blood pressure check, it is important to look at the factors that can cause blood pressure to rise. These can include:
- Smoking
- Caffeine
- Cold temperatures
- Stress
- Medications
Likewise, some factors add to lowering the blood pressure, and these include:
- Lack of needed nutrients
- Blood loss
- Heart conditions
- Severe allergies
Understanding Blood Pressure Reading
Blood pressure can be measured by using two different readings. These are called systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.
This is what both indicate.
Systolic Pressure: It is the top number of the reading. When the heart contracts to pump blood, systolic pressure measures the pressure that is inside your arteries.
Diastolic Pressure: The second reading is called diastolic pressure. It is the bottom reading and measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes.
The blood pressure written as 115/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) means that the systolic pressure is 115 and the diastolic pressure is 80. The higher number shows that the heart is working extra hard to pump blood through the arteries.
Step by Step Blood Pressure Check
While using a digital blood pressure machine or a manual machine (sphygmomanometer) the instructions to follow are quite similar. Let’s look at the guidelines and try to understand them step by step.
1. Find the Pulse
The first and foremost step is to locate the pulse. This can be done easily by easily putting your middle and index finger just inside where the elbow is present. This is the place where the brachial artery is present.
If by any chance you are not able to locate your pulse take the stethoscope and put it inside the center of the bend of the elbow. You can do this when you have a manual monitor for a blood pressure check. In the case of a digital monitor, the placement of an arm cuff on the same area will do the job for you. This way you can get closer to the answer to ‘how to measure blood pressure.’
2. Fasten the Cuff
To secure the cuff, take the cuff and slide it into your arm. You just have to make sure that the head of the stethoscope is over the artery. A lot of times, the cuff is marked to help you show the location where the stethoscope head should be.
You need to place the cuff in a way that its lower edge is 1 inch above where the bend is. In the next step, take the stethoscope and place it in your ears. I would suggest you tilt it a little for better sound.
3. Time to Inflate and Deflate
If you are using a manual monitor:
- Take the pressure gauge in one hand (preferably left) and the bulb in the other (preferably right hand).
- Take the screw and turn it clockwise, this way you can close the airflow valve present on the bulb.
- Start inflating the cuff by squeezing the bulb with one hand. At this point, you will start to hear your pulse through the stethoscope.
- You need to keep on inflating the cuff until there is a reading as a result of a blood pressure check. This should be above the systolic pressure of about 30 mm Hg. At this point, there is no sound of the pulse.
- Now start releasing the pressure on the cuff as you keep your eyes on the gauge. With that, start opening the valve counterclockwise. The gauge will start falling. It should fall up to 2 to 3 points with each heartbeat.
- Now, wait for the first pulse beat. Listen to it and note down the reading on the gauge. This is systolic pressure.
- Keep on deflating the cuff.
- You need to keep listening carefully until there is no pulse beat heard. Note the reading as the sound stops, this is the diastolic pressure.
- Let your cuff deflate completely.
In case of using a digital monitor:
- Take the bulb in one hand
- Turn on the power button and get the monitor ready.
- Then squeeze the bulb and get the cuff inflated. If you have a monitor that has automatic cuff inflation then it’s better. Just press the start button.
- Keep watching the gauge and read 30 points above the systolic pressure.
- Quietly watch the monitor as the readings sr=tart to show on the monitor.
- Wait to hear a long beep that indicates that the blood pressure measurement is complete. Note down the systolic and diastolic pressures that appear on the left and right sides of the monitor.
- Deflate the cuff completely at the end.
In case you don’t get an accurate reading, don’t start inflating the cuff. Wait for almost a minute and then repeat the procedure.
4. Keep Checking and Recording
It is very important to stay in contact with a doctor to take the instructions as to when you should be checking your blood pressure and how often. Keep a track of the date, time, and systolic and diastolic pressure whenever you want the answer to how to measure blood pressure effectively.
Wrapping it Up!
It is very important to get your blood pressure checked every once in a while. This should be done especially if you are a patient with heart disease or if you are someone who is under stress most of the time. Make sure to use a machine that gives accurate results and works in your best interest. But, for any ambiguities and queries, you need to reach out to a hypertension specialist near you for a customized treatment plan.
