Your blood pressure changes throughout the day. Emotions, exercise, stress, and what you eat or drink can change your blood pressure. In fact, blood pressure can rise or fall just because you’re in your doctor’s office. For all these reasons, it may be important to check your blood pressure at home—and not just at your doctor’s office.
How to measure blood pressure using a manual monitor
Watch this video to learn how to measure blood pressure using a manual monitor. Talk with your doctor about how to take your blood pressure. Tell your doctor about your blood pressure numbers.
How to measure blood pressure using a manual monitor
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Transcript:
Manual, or aneroid, equipment includes a cuff, an attached pump, a stethoscope and a gauge.
This equipment requires coordination. It's difficult to use if you're hearing or visually impaired or if you're unable to perform the hand movements needed to squeeze the bulb and inflate the cuff.
When you're ready to take your blood pressure, sit quietly for three to five minutes beforehand.
To begin, place the cuff on your bare upper arm one inch above the bend of your elbow. Pull the end of the cuff so that it's evenly tight around your arm. You should place it tight enough so that you can only slip two fingertips under the top edge of the cuff. Make sure your skin doesn't pinch when the cuff inflates.
Once the cuff is on, place the disk of the stethoscope facedown under the cuff, just to the inner side of your upper arm.
Next, place the stethoscope earpieces in your ears, with the earpieces facing forward, pointing toward the tip of your nose. Rest the gauge in the open palm of the hand of your cuffed arm so that you can clearly see it.
Then, squeeze the pump rapidly with your opposite hand until the gauge reads 30 points above your usual systolic pressure. (Be sure to inflate the cuff rapidly). Stop squeezing. Turn the knob on the pump toward you (counterclockwise) to let the air out slowly.
Let the pressure fall 2 millimeters, or lines on the dial, per second while listening for your heart sounds. Note the reading when you first hear a heartbeat. This is your systolic pressure.
Note when you no longer hear the beating sounds. This is your diastolic pressure.
Rest quietly and wait about one to two minutes before taking another measurement. Record your numbers either by writing the information down or by entering the information into an electronic personal health record.
How to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor
Watch this video to learn how to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor.Talk with your doctor about how to take your blood pressure. Tell your doctor about your blood pressure numbers.
How to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor
close
Transcript:
To monitor your blood pressure using an automatic blood pressure monitor, find a comfortable place to sit with good back support at a table or desk.
When you're ready to take your blood pressure, sit quietly for three to five minutes beforehand.
Place your feet flat on the floor and rest your arm on a tabletop even with your heart. Lean against the back of the chair. Stretch out your arm, palm upward.
Place the cuff on your bare upper arm one inch above the bend of your elbow. Make sure the tubing falls over the front center of your arm so that the sensor is correctly placed. Pull the end of the cuff so that it's evenly tight around your arm. You should place it tight enough so that you can only slip two fingertips under the top edge of the cuff. Make sure your skin doesn't pinch when the cuff inflates.
To get started, wait a moment, then press start. Remain still and quiet as the machine begins measuring. The cuff will inflate, then slowly deflate so that the machine can take your measurement. When the reading is complete, the monitor displays your blood pressure and pulse on the digital panel. If the monitor doesn't record a reading, reposition the cuff and try again. Rest quietly and wait about one to two minutes before taking another measurement.
Record your numbers, either by writing the information down or by entering the information into an electronic personal health record. Some monitors can upload your blood pressure readings automatically into a computer or mobile device.
Take your blood pressure at home and record your results in this tracker. Be sure to share the results with your doctor at your next visit. You will need Adobe® Reader®.
Do you like this tracker? Get more tools like this.
The American Heart Association recommends home blood pressure checks for everyone with high blood pressure. But remember:
Checking your blood pressure at home or at the pharmacy does not replace regular visits to your doctor
Do not stop taking your medicine—even if your home blood pressure checks show that your blood pressure is in the normal range
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Watch this video to learn how to measure blood pressure using a manual monitor. Talk with your doctor about how to take your blood pressure. Tell your doctor about your blood pressure numbers.
Watch this video to learn how to measure blood pressure using an automatic monitor.Talk with your doctor about how to take your blood pressure. Tell your doctor about your blood pressure numbers.
Adobe and Reader are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Your blood pressure changes throughout the day. Emotions, exercise, stress, and what you eat or drink can change your blood pressure. In fact, blood pressure can rise or fall just because you’re in your doctor’s office. For all these reasons, it may be important to check your blood pressure at home—and not just at your doctor’s office.
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