How to Use a Manual Blood Pressure Monitor

Blood pressure problems are becoming increasingly common in adults of almost all ages. The fast paced lifestyle has forced many to use a blood pressure monitor at home. Many are using the manual blood pressure monitor right from their homes since it is convenient for regular checks. Here’s how you can do it too.

Instructions

Things that you will need: A comfortable chair, a stable table

Step 1 – Get free of any uncomfortable clothing on your left arm or anything that acts as a blockage.

Step 2 – Sit erect on the chair. Rest your feet flat on the floor. Do not sit cross legged.

Step 3 – Slide your arm into the blood pressure monitor cuff. Keep it ½ inch above your elbow. Secure the cuff in its right position. Slide your index finger inside the cuff to check if the cuff is not fastened too tight.

Step 4 – Your blood pressure monitor cuff should be at the same height as your heart. Rest your forearm on a table to do that. Secure the cuff and close it.

Step 5 – Start pumping the inflation bulb to 30- 40 mm Hg higher than your normal systolic pressure and watch the cuff inflating. You can inflate the cuff to 180mm Hg, if you are not sure about your normal systolic pressure.

Step 6 – Slowly release the inflation bulb once you have reached the correct pressure. The display numbers will start decreasing. Keep watching. When it comes to rest, that is your very reading or blood pressure value.

Tips & Warnings

Maintain a diary or log book of your blood pressure readings. Note both diastolic and systolic pressure. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation on what intervals you need to test your blood pressure.

Never exercise, eat too much, smoke and watch TV before testing your pressure. Avoid keeping your cell phone near the testing unit to prevent wrong readings or system failure.

Leave a Reply