How to Take Blood Pressure

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, low blood pressure, or your doctor wants you monitoring your blood pressure you need to learn how to take blood pressure. It does take a bit of practice, but once you have done it a few times and you get the hang of it, it really is simple to do! Many people all over the world are taking their own blood pressure and you can do it, too!

Learn How to Take Your Blood Pressure

The first thing you will want to do when you have to take your blood pressure is to sit, either at a table or a desk, and put both feet flat on the floor. Before you sit down you should be sure that your bladder is empty and you should ensure that you are reasonably comfortable. Sit for a few moments and then place the cuff around the upper arm so that the cuff is snug but will still allow for you to put one finger under it. Position the hose or marker over the brachial artery, which is just on the inside of the midline of the elbow crease.

Most people today are choosing to use the digital monitor. The reason for this is that it is so much easier, especially when you are checking your own blood pressure. Once the cuff is on, relax your arm, being sure not to move it, and then press the start button. Within a few moments time the cuff will contract and then relax again and you will be given your blood pressure and likely your heart rate, as well.

If you will be using the auscultatory method, which is using the stethoscope to listen to the heat beat and flow of blood, it will be a bit more difficult but practice will make perfect. You should be sure that you have the cuff on the right arm. You’ll place the stethoscope in your ears and with your left hand you’ll place the other end of the stethoscope over the brachial artery at the elbow. You’ll hold the inflation bulb in your right hand and inflate the cuff to about 30mm higher than what you would expect the systolic pressure to be. Stop and then relax your right arm and watch as the pressure drops 10 to 20mm. Open the release valve and watch as the pressure falls about 10 mm every three heartbeats.

The pressure that you first hear as a series of bumps is the systolic pressure and then when you notice the bumps disappear that is the diastolic pressure. Make sure to write down both numbers immediately when you are monitoring your own blood pressure, otherwise you will forget and you won’t get an accurate picture of what is going on with your body.