How to properly measure blood pressure

The level of blood pressure is one of the most important indicators in a person's examination. It determines the general state of the human body. If this indicator exceeds the norm or, on the contrary, is underestimated, this indicates certain violations of the functioning of the body. How to properly perform the measurement procedure to get the correct result? To do this, you need to know the algorithm for measuring blood pressure. There are several ways and rules for research.

• Methods for measuring blood pressure
• Measurement by the Korotkov method
• Oscillometric measurement method
• Rules for measuring blood pressure using the Korotkov method
• How to measure pressure with an electronic tonometer
• How to choose a device for measuring blood pressure
• Investigation of arterial pressure on the lower limbs
• Preparatory process
• Measurement in children
• Features of arterial pressure

Methods for measuring blood pressure

There are 2 ways to measure this indicator in humans. Let's look at each one in detail.

Measurement by the Korotkov method

The essence of this method consists in pinching a special cuff on the brachial artery. At the same time, it is necessary to slowly evacuate the air from the cuff, listening to the heartbeat with a fanendoscope. This method requires the presence of such devices: a fanendoscope, a pear-shaped balloon with air and a cuff.

This method is used in hospitals, as well as in the presence of the device and at home. The results of this measurement are standard. The advantage of Korotkov's method is the correct result even when the hand moves. As for the shortcomings, these are:

• The instrumentation for measuring has a high sensitivity to noise;
• the correctness of the results of the performed procedure directly depends on the qualification of the specialist;
• requires direct skin contact with the cuff;
• on technical grounds, this device is quite complex, so the result is not always correct;
• This indicator can only be measured by specially trained medical personnel.

In order to conduct the procedure at home, a period of time should be studied for this process. What is the name of the device for measuring blood pressure in humans using the Korotkov method? It is called a tonometer.

Oscillometric measurement method

This method is a measurement of blood pressure using a special medical device - an electronic tonometer. This unit automatically calculates pulsations in the cuff through the squeezed part of the vessel. There are many advantages of using this device:

• the procedure does not require special skills and knowledge;
• the individual characteristics of the person who conducts the procedure do not affect the result;
• noise in the room at the time of the procedure does not affect the result;
• The cuff can be worn on clothes, it is not necessary to bare the brachial artery.

You can buy an electronic blood pressure monitor in a pharmacy or a specialized medical equipment store. After that, you can easily measure blood pressure at home. This is especially true for people suffering from hypertension or hypotension. Monitoring this indicator at home will help avoid frequent hospital visits to measure pressure.

Rules for measuring blood pressure using the Korotkov method

It is very important to measure the pressure correctly. The algorithm of measurement actions by Korotkov's method consists in carrying out such manipulations:

1. The patient should take a stable position. You can sit or lie, depending on the state of health of the patient.
2. Release your hand from your clothes just above the elbow. It should be located at the heart level.
3. Apply the cuff to your arm, a couple of centimeters above the elbow. Do not tighten tightly. Between the cuff and hand should be placed finger.
4. Place a soft object under the elbow of the patient. The ideal option is a small pillow.
5. To probe the pulse on the inner side of the elbow fold, attach the phantendoscope microphone.
6. Fill the cuff with air using a balloon until the ripple disappears.
7. Unscrew the valve, this is required for the air to gradually descend.
8. The appearance of the first tone indicates systolic pressure. The last loud tone followed by the normalization of the pulse is the diastolic pressure.

These manipulations are best performed on both hands, especially at the first measurement of blood pressure. If the indicators are the same, then in the future you can measure only on one hand. If they are still different, then the correct result is a higher pressure.

Important to remember!The first study of blood pressure using Korotkov's method is best done repeatedly! This will help to get a more accurate result.

How to measure pressure with an electronic tonometer

To conduct a procedure for measuring this indicator using an electronic tonometer, special skills and knowledge are not required. Since the device automatically fixes systolic and diastolic pressure. All other manipulations are similar to the measurement of this indicator using Korotkov's method. Only you can not denude the upper limb.

How to choose a device for measuring blood pressure

In order to carry out the procedure at home, it is necessary to choose the right instrument for measurement, taking into account the individual characteristics of a person suffering from pressure surges. When buying a tonometer, you should pay special attention to the following points:

• The cuff size should correspond to the circumference of the hand;
• the cuff material should be made of natural fabric, the most suitable is seamless nylon;
• if you buy a mechanical tonometer, then you should choose a dial with clear divisions and a metal casing;
• The balloon is better to choose with a metal screw for lowering the air;
• The electronic tonometer should be with a large display, it will show a more reliable and full result.

It is important to know!For home use it is better to buy an electronic blood pressure monitor! It does not require special skills and knowledge to use.

Investigation of arterial pressure on the lower limbs

Measurement on the legs of this indicator is carried out in clinical conditions due to a large number of equipment. The standard points for applying the cuff are:

• upper part of the thigh surface;
• lower third of the thigh;
• the surface just below the knees;
• lower part of lower leg above ankle.

This method of investigation is more accurate. It is used in cases of difficulty in diagnosing hypertension or hypotension.

Preparatory process

In order to obtain the most accurate result, the patient must adhere to such rules before measuring blood pressure:

• Do not eat coffee and products containing caffeine, an hour before the procedure;
• if the patient has such a bad habit, like smoking, then you should refrain from it for 30 minutes before the study;
• do not use drops for eyes and nose;
• 5 minutes before the procedure should be in a state of complete rest.

Important to remember!Strict implementation of the above rules will help to identify blood pressure jumps!

Measurement in children

In order to measure in children this indicator, the consent of one of the parents is required. Also, a specialist who conducts a study should explain his need for a mom or dad. Tonometers for measuring this index in children should have narrower cuffs than in adults.

The specialist imposes a cuff on the peripheral arteries of the child and gives him to stay in a state of complete rest for several minutes. Then he begins to pump the cuff with air until the blood flow stops completely. Then, by releasing the air, the pressure on the artery gradually decreases. At this very moment, you should expect the first appearance of pulsation, listening to the fan-odoscope. This is systolic pressure. The disappearance of the final tone shows the diastolic pressure.

Features of arterial pressure

This indicator is individual for each person. In some people, low or high blood pressure is a working condition, in which there is no deterioration in well-being. It depends on many factors. The most common features are:

• in people whose professional activity is associated with heavy physical exertion, this indicator is higher than that of workers engaged in mental work;
• in men, the pressure is always higher than that of women at the same age;
• in the morning the indicator is slightly reduced.

Also, people who are prone to nervous excitement, the pressure often rises.