If you are suffering from certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure or low blood pressure (hypertension and hypotension respectively), it is appropriate to check on your BP on a regular basis using a manual device or an equipment known as a sphygmomanometer. Some people, however, are experiencing the ‘lab coat’ disorder, which pertains to that particular syndrome wherein a person unexpectedly shoots up his blood pressure when a medical professional wearing a white lab gown is in sight.
This is probably one of the major reasons that patients are encouraged to take and check their blood
pressures at home or even at work regularly. This act can help you determine the average daily
measurements in reality. There are several devices that are available in the market but the most famous
and undeniably in demand are the sphygmomanometers, which is also a favorite and dependable device
used by doctors and health professionals.
Procedure on how to check BP:
• From the kit, slowly take out the cuff, bulb, pressure gauge and stethoscope carefully unraveling
the different tubes.
• Rest your left arm comfortably on a table and make sure in the event you bend your elbow it
will be in line with your heart.
• If you will be using your left arm, try to bend slowly in preparation for the measurements.
• Now, start wrapping the cuff around the upper portion of your arm, slowly sliding the upper part of
the cuff into metal bar that adjoins the cuff. Be sure it touches your skin so as not to alter the
results of the reading.
• If the cuff has a Velcro, it can secure the cuff easily in its place. Just be sure to wrap the cuff
comfortable enough, not too tight or loose either. Either way, it can greatly affect the readings.
• Do not make extra movement because it can also change the blood pressure reading and can
even give inappropriate results.
• Now, place the stethoscope into your ears, the wide part on the skin a little above the elbow, on
the brachial artery.
• Listen closely until the moment you begin to inflate the cuff. A thumping sound will dominate
the stethoscope.
• Detach the clip from the pressure gauge and look for something tough where you can place on
the desk or table so you can keep watch carefully.
• Remove the bulb; check on the valve at the bottom part that it is tightly locked to assure that no
air escapes when you begin to pump the cuff. But of course, do not overdo it.
• Now, carefully release some air from the cuff. Close the valve when you feel the need to do it.
• You can now pump the bulb slowly and steadily making sure the gauge reaches around 20-30
points beyond the normal systolic number. Turn the valve counter clockwise in order to release
air gradually.
• Now, be wary of that first throbbing sound that you will hear, that will represent your systolic
blood pressure. Take note of the number on the monitor. After which, the throbbing sound will
eventually turn into silence, watch closely the number that is registering on the device; this is
now your diastolic pressure.
• Repeat the procedure one more time with a 1 minute interval for accuracy.