How to use a home blood pressure monitor
Download a PDF sheet that shows you how to measure your blood pressure properly. Also available in Spanish and Chinese. Show
Know your numbersLearn what the numbers in your blood pressure reading mean.
Note: A diagnosis of high blood pressure must be confirmed with a medical professional. A doctor should also evaluate any unusually low blood pressure readings. Download this chart: English Jpeg | English PDF | Spanish Jpeg | Spanish PDF | Traditional Chinese Jpeg | Traditional Chinese (PDF) If you get a high blood pressure reading
AHA RecommendationThe American Heart Association recommends home monitoring for all people with high blood pressure to help the healthcare provider determine whether treatments are working. Home monitoring (self-measured blood pressure) is not a substitute for regular visits to your physician. If you have been prescribed medication to lower your blood pressure, don't stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor, even if your blood pressure readings are in the normal range during home monitoring. Choosing a home blood pressure monitorThe American Heart Association recommends an automatic, cuff-style, bicep (upper-arm) monitor.
Once you’ve purchased your monitor, bring it to your next appointmentHave your doctor check to see that you are using it correctly and getting the same results as the equipment in the office. Plan to bring your monitor in once a year to make sure the readings are accurate. Home blood pressure monitoring may be especially useful for:
Left-arm vs. right-arm blood pressureSeveral studies have been done to determine what is a normal variation between right and left arm. In general, any difference of 10 mm Hg or less is considered normal and is not a cause for concern. Why keep a blood pressure journal?One blood pressure measurement is like a snapshot. It only tells what your blood pressure is at that moment. A record of readings taken over time provides a “time-lapse” picture of your blood pressure that can help you partner with your physician to ensure that your treatments to lower high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) are working. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff. How do you read blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer?We record this with the systolic pressure first (on the top) and the diastolic pressure second (below). For example, if the systolic pressure is 120 mmHg (millimetres of mercury) and the diastolic pressure is 80 mmHg, we would describe the blood pressure as '120 over 80', written 120/80.
How do you use a sphygmomanometer?How to Use Sphygmomanometers. Know your basic knowledge of blood pressure readings. Blood pressure readings are expressed as systolic over diastolic pressure. ... . Use proper-sized cuffs. ... . Properly place the cuff on the arm. ... . Position the stethoscope. ... . Inflate the cuff. ... . Listen and observe. ... . Repeat the procedure on the other arm.. Can I check my own BP with sphygmomanometer?To manually take your blood pressure, you'll need: a blood pressure cuff with a squeezable balloon and an aneroid monitor, also known as a sphygmomanometer. An aneroid monitor is a number dial. a stethoscope.
What is the correct way to test blood pressure?With the cuff on your bare arm, sit in an upright position with back supported, feet flat on the floor and your arm supported at heart level. Make sure the bottom of the cuff is directly above the bend of the elbow. Relax for about five minutes before taking a measurement.
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