how do you measure blood pressure?

Answer 1

The auscultatory method uses a stethoscope and a sphygmomanometer. This comprises an inflatable (Riva-Rocci) cuff placed around the upper arm at roughly the same vertical height as the heart, attached to a mercury or aneroid manometer. The mercury manometer, considered to be the gold standard for arterial pressure measurement, measures the height of a column of mercury, giving an absolute result without need for calibration, and consequently not subject to the errors and drift of calibration which affect other methods. The use of mercury manometers is often required in clinical trials and for the clinical measurement of hypertension in high risk patients, including pregnant women.

A cuff of appropriate size is fitted and inflated manually by repeatedly squeezing a rubber bulb until the artery is completely occluded. Listening with the stethoscope to the brachial artery at the elbow, the examiner slowly releases the pressure in the cuff. When blood just starts to flow in the artery, the turbulent flow creates a "whooshing" or pounding sound (first Korotkoff sounds). The pressure at which this sound is first heard is the systolic blood pressure. The cuff pressure is further released until no sound can be heard (fifth Korotkoff sound), at the diastolic arterial pressure. Sometimes, the pressure is palpated (felt by hand) to get an estimate before auscultation. With a mercury manometer this is simple technology which gives accurate pressure readings without issues of calibration.
Please see the web pages for more details on Blood pressure monitoring and Korotkoff sounds.

Answer 2

There are a few things to rule out. 1. Are you listening to the correct side of the Bell/diaphram? It should rotate, which alternates the side you can hear through the stethoscope. The diaphram is most commonly used for BP measurements 2. Do you have the earpieces pointed outward (towards your face)? Otherwise it would be hard to hear 3. Have you located the brachial artery? Placing the diaphram near the elbow is not specific enough. Although the location you describe is where the brachial artery is usually located, there are interindividual variations in location. 4. Is the cuff inflated? You won't hear a heartbeat when the cuff is inflated at a pressure greater than the patient's actual blood pressure. I apologize if some of these are simplistic - just trying to rule out everything i can think of. Once you can hear it (and you will eventually), the most common mistake that is made is letting the pressure drop too fast. I think that this because more common with more experience. The pressure should drop 2-3mmHg/sec. Any faster and you lose accuracy very quickly. Rarely do I ever see anyone do this properly

Answer 3

You should read "The Blood Pressure Solution" (also available in electronic format, watch the video presentation here: http://www.mybloodpressurefix.link ) It's a very comprehensive step-by-step book that walks you through the natural remedies of high blood pressure. It provides you with a lot of information on what foods to eat, how you can acquire and prepare these foods, how you can change your lifestyle for the better, how to eliminate the toxins from your body, how to reduce stress, how you can check your blood pressure level the correct way etc.

The book is amazing in that it not only lowers your blood pressure without the help of medications; it also aids you in having a life that is healthy, happier, and less stressful. This book chanced my life.

Answer 4

A cuff is placed on the upper arm, one that can be inflated

a stethescope is used to listen to the blood flow

pressure is applied to 200 or so - then released slowly

1. when you you hear the flow disappear - that is the upper number

2. when it comes back - that gives the lower number

higher number should be under 120
lower should be under 90

mine was 112/62 the other day :-)


all the best

Answer 5

I have high blood pressure; I went on meandmyhealth and follow the guidelines they have posted. Really great stuff.

Answer 6

Most people get it done automaticly at there family doctor, or most pharmacy's have blood pressure machines you can do it yourself for free. If you have a wal mart near you, there pharmacy has them.