How to Read an Aneroid Blood Pressure Monitor
Taking blood pressure at home allows patients to track their heart health and spot problems early. An aneroid blood pressure monitor comes with a cuff to which an inflation bulb and measurement dial are attached. Some models include a stethoscope, while others require one to be purchased separately. While aneroid blood pressure monitors require some skill to operate, they are considered more accurate than digital blood pressure monitors.
Instructions
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Wrap the cuff around your upper arm above the elbow. Be sure you have the right size cuff. If it's too small or too big, it can affect the accuracy of the reading. The cuff fits properly if you have used 80 percent of the cuff fabric.
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2
Find the brachial artery in the crook of your arm.The brachial artery is usually in line with your pinkie.
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3
Sit with your feet on the floor and your arm in a supported position. Place the stethoscope over the brachial artery.
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4
Squeeze the bulb with the opposite hand to inflate the cuff. Inflate to a number 30 to 40 points above the previous systolic reading.
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Slowly release the air from the cuff and listen for the swooshing sound of the blood in your arteries. Watch the dial and note the number it shows when you first hear the 'swoosh'.This is your systolic blood pressure, which is the rate of contraction pushing blood out of the heart and through the body.
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Listen until you can no longer hear the swooshing sound of your blood and note the number on the dial. This is your diastolic blood pressure, which measures the rest between heart beats.
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Record you blood pressure with the systolic number over the diastolic number.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid eating or drinking before measuring your blood pressure. Rest for a few minutes before taking your blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is lower than 120/80. Hypertension starts at 140/90. It is also possible to have hypertension where the systolic number alone is high. As you age, the systolic number is more important in determining heart health than the diastolic.
Please see your doctor if your blood pressure is high. If you have had a masectomy, check with your doctor for instructions on how to take your blood pressure.
Resources
- Photo Credit imelenchon
