At home, many individuals keep an eye on their blood pressure machine. They often use this to control or treat a specific medical issue. Keep a diary or record of the readings if you monitor your blood pressure at home. Your doctor can see on the form how your blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day. It will be easier to determine whether your blood pressure medications are effective if you can track their progress. Home blood pressure monitoring is a valuable tool for maintaining your health.
A way to better health
What tools do I need to take blood pressure readings at home?
You may use a digital or an aneroid (manual) monitor to take your blood pressure home. Select the monitor type that best suits your requirements. When choosing a monitor, have a look at the following characteristics.
Size: Choosing the proper cuff size is crucial. Your arm size will determine what size cuff you require. To get assistance, ask the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. If your cuff is the correct size, your blood pressure machine may be accurate.
Cost: The price might be a significant concern. The cost of home blood pressure machine varies. You can compare prices to get the best bargain. Remember that expensive equipment may not be the best or most accurate.
Display: You should be able to see the figures on the display easily.
Sound: If manually checking, you must be able to hear your heartbeat using the stethoscope.
Tests have shown that wrist and finger gadgets sometimes offer inaccurate readings. The position and body temperature of these devices affect their performance. Additionally, they might cost upwards of $100.
Aneroid viewer
The aneroid monitor manually checks your blood pressure. You can read the gauge by glancing at the pointer on the dial. Your upper arm is wrapped in the cuff, which you manually blow up with a rubber bulb by pressing.
Analog monitors are often less expensive than digital ones. They cost between $20 to $40 on average. A stethoscope is included within the cuff. You don’t have to get a different one. One-handed cuff putting may be made simple by a function on the device. It is also transportable and straightforward to carry from one location to another.
The aneroid monitor has several shortcomings. It is a complicated machine that is easily broken and loses accuracy. It would not be easy to operate if the gadget didn’t include a metal ring to tighten the cuff. This is what makes putting on the cuff simpler. The rubber bulb that inflates the cuff could also be difficult to squeeze. Due to the need to listen to your heartbeat via the stethoscope, this sort of monitor may not be the most excellent choice for those with hearing impairments.
Digital display
For taking blood pressure, digital devices are increasingly common. They often make aneroid units more user-friendly. The digital monitor is a combined gauge and stethoscope. It contains an error indication as well. On a little screen, the blood pressure machine is shown. A dial may be more complex to read than this. A paper printout that serves as a record of the reading is also available on specific devices.
Depending on the model, the cuff may be inflated manually or automatically. Automatic deflation occurs. Deaf persons benefit from digital monitors since they eliminate the need to listen to your heartbeat with a stethoscope.
The digital monitor has several things that could be improve. Body movements or an erratic heartbeat may impact its accuracy. Some types are only compatible with the left arm. Some patients may find them difficult to utilize as a result. The cost of digital displays is higher. They cost anything from $30 to more than $100. Furthermore, batteries are needed.
How can I tell whether my monitor is reliable and I’m using it correctly?
After you purchase your equipment, ask your doctor to verify its accuracy. Once a year, they ought to inspect your monitor. On your own, check the tubing occasionally for leaks and fractures. Careful handling and storage are required. When storing the tubing, watch out for twisting. Keep it out of the heat.
Ask your doctor or nurse to learn how to use your blood pressure monitor correctly. This will enable you to regulate your blood pressure successfully.
How should my blood pressure be measured?
Consider the following before taking your blood pressure:
- After eating or using coffee, alcohol, or tobacco products, wait 30 minutes.
- Go to the restroom to relieve yourself.
- Rest for three to five minutes without speaking.
- Uncross your legs and ankles while sitting comfortably, and support your back.
- Raise your left arm till it is at heart level. Place it on a desk or table and remain seated.
- Wrap the cuff over your naked arm’s top portion. The cuff has to be tight and smooth. You should be able to fit one fingertip beneath the sleeve with no problem.
- Check the cuff’s positioning. Its bottom border ought to be one inch over your elbow’s crease.
- The procedures for using an anemometer are listed below.
- Put the earpieces from the stethoscope in your ears. The earpieces must face your eyes ahead.
- Put the stethoscope disk on the inner elbow crease.
Squeeze the rubber bulb to inflate the cuff. You are squeezing the dial until the marker is 30 to 40 points higher than your most recent systolic measurement. The highest blood pressure level is called the systolic reading. Instead of doing it gradually, quickly inflate the cuff. An erroneous reading will result from excessively slowly inflating the cuff.
Open the unit’s valve slightly, then gently let some air out of the cuff. Deflate the cuff at a rate of 2 to 3 mm per second. You won’t be able to take your blood pressure machine readings if you loosen the valve excessively.
You will start to hear your heartbeat when you release the air from the cuff. Keep an attentive ear out for the initial sound. Look at the pointer on the dial to check the blood pressure measurement. This value indicates systolic pressure.
Deflate the cuff further. Keep an eye on your heartbeat. At some time, you’ll notice that your pulse stops. Verify the dial’s reading. This value indicates your diastolic pressure.
In your record, note the measurement. Systolic pressure always precedes diastolic pressure. 120/80 is a good example.
If you need to, wait two to three minutes before performing the measurement again.
The procedures for using a digital monitor are listed below.
- To start the device, turn the power on.
- With the press of a button, the cuff will automatically inflate on the automatic variants. The cuff on the manual models has to be increase. By quickly squeezing the rubber bulb, you may do this.
- The automated gadget will gradually release air when the cuff has inflated.
- Look at the display screen to receive a reading of your blood pressure. Your systolic and diastolic pressures will be shown. In your record, note the measurement. Systolic pressure always precedes diastolic pressure. 120/80 is a good example.
- Press the exhaust button to let out the whole amount of air in the cuff.
- If you need to, wait two to three minutes before performing the measurement again.
Things to think about
What does the number on my blood pressure mean?
Blood pressure should not exceed 120/80. 140/90 or greater is considering high blood pressure. You can have prehypertension if your blood pressure is between 120/80 and 140/90. You are, therefore, in danger of having high blood pressure.
The ranges for high blood pressure may be lower than normal individuals if you have diabetes or renal disease. Alternatively, your target blood pressure may be more significant if you are above 65. Discuss what constitutes high blood pressure in your case with your doctor.
Medical jargon
It might be challenging to monitor your blood pressure at home. The words that are important to understand are listed below.
- Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls.
- High blood pressure.
- Low blood pressure or hypotension.
A blood vessel called the brachial artery runs from your shoulder to the base of your elbow. In this artery, you take your blood pressure.
Systolic pressure: When your heart is pumping blood to your body, the stress in an artery is at its maximum.
The lowest pressure in an artery while your heart is at rest is called the diastolic pressure.
Measurement of blood pressure: Compute both the systolic and diastolic values. The systolic value is written or shown first, following by the diastolic pressure. 120/80 is a good example. This blood pressure value is typical.
When to see a doctor
Your monitor should be examine by the doctor at least once each year. This guarantees the measurements are precise.
You can only be diagnose with high blood pressure by a doctor. Keeping a journal is crucial since diagnosing a condition involves many readings. Additionally, you want to record the time of day you take your blood pressure. If you get elevating readings for multiple days, speak with your doctor. Bring your blood pressure log with you to the appointment, please.
Blood pressure is low with hypotension. This happens when your systolic pressure drops below 90 regularly, 25 points below average. If your blood pressure is low, call your doctor. Hypotension may be an indication of life-threatening shock. If you feel lightheaded or dizzy, call your doctor straight away.