How to Take Your Own Blood Pressure

Article to teach individuals how to take their own blood pressure or someone elses blood pressure.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stethoscope
• Blood pressure cuff (Aneroid Sphygmomanometer)

1. Cardiovascular health is very important and everyone should know how to take their own blood pressure as hypertension or high blood pressure is a "silent killer".

2. 
   How to place blood pressure cuff

   Take your blood pressure cuff and wrap it around your or the patients' arm right above the elbow joint.

3. Next, place your stethoscope in your ears. Remember, when placing these in your ears the earpieces must make an upside down V facing you or you will not be able to hear clearly.

4. Have the patient relax the arm or relax your own arm if taking your own blood pressure. Place the stethoscope bell in the middle of the arm where the arm bends.

5. Pump up the blood pressure cuff to 180. Make sure the valve is closed on the cuff by turning the silver piece where the bulb is clockwise until tight before pumping.

6. Watch the needle on the gauge and listen for the 1st big thump, this will be your top number or systolic pressure. You will hear the pumping until it reaches the last little thump (will be almost silent) this will be your bottom number or diastolic pressure.

7. You have now taken your own blood pressure. Release the pressure on the cuff, take off the stethoscope, record the pressure on a piece of paper, and take off the cuff.

Tips & Warnings

• Check blood pressure on a regular basis
• Get regular check ups on an annual basis to maintain good cardiovascular health
• If you are feeling lightheaded or have a major headache you should take your blood pressure immediately.
• If bottom number, diastolic pressure, is 90 or above SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY!

Resources

• American Heart Association