1. Relax and take a comfortable position.
• It is important that you are relaxed and comfortable while taking measurements.
• The hand on which the measurement is made should be at the level of the heart. The arm should be extended, but not tense. Place your hand on a surface, palm up. Do not move your hand while taking the measurement.
2. How to place the cuff and stethoscope.
• Put on the cuff so that it is 2-3 cm above the elbow of the left arm. Fasten the cuff with Velcro. The cuff should be worn snugly, but not too tight. Do not wear cuff over clothing.
• The head of the stethoscope must be placed under the cuff on the brachial artery.
3. Cuff inflation.
• Close the air valve on the bulb by turning it clockwise. DO NOT squeeze it!
• Squeeze the bulb evenly until the pressure gauge needle reaches 30mmHg. higher than your usual systolic blood pressure. If you do not know this indicator, then to the indicator of 200 mm Hg. Art.
4. The indicator of systolic pressure.
• Slowly open the air valve by turning it counterclockwise. Hold the head of the stethoscope on the brachial artery. Proper air release rate is a prerequisite for correct pressure measurement. You need to practice to get the air release rate to be 2-3mmHg. Art. with or minus 1-2 marks on the pressure gauge with each heartbeat. Does not keep the cuff inflated more than necessary. After the air begins to come out of the cuff, you need to listen carefully with a stethoscope. Take note of the pressure gauge when you hear a faint rhythmic tapping or thumping sound. This is the upper systolic pressure. Keep listening carefully and you will hear the pulse.
5. Indicator of diastolic blood pressure.
• Continue to blow out air at the same speed. When the diastolic - lower blood pressure reading is reached, the tapping will stop.
• Deflate the cuff completely. Remove the cuff from your forearm and stethoscope.
6. Record your blood pressure readings.
Repeat the measurement procedure two or more times. Do not forget to write down the readings and the time of the measurement immediately after the end of the measurement. A convenient time for the first measurement is in the morning or before dinner.
