If you think that you are experiencing the ‘symptoms’ of hypertension, you need to be careful about this and take the necessary actions quickly. One important thing to do is to monitor your blood pressure each day on an accurate basis. Popularly used device to measure blood pressure is the manual one which is known to everybody as the sphygmomanometer. This monitor functions with the mercury as a gauge which indicates the readings when the arm is being compressed by the use of a cuff.
The following tips can be helpful:
• First, the device should be placed on a flat surface. A coffee or side table will be perfect.
• The blood pressure meter lid should be opened and the lower part must be positioned upright.
• A steel lever is located on the bottom part of the machine, locking the mercury in its position
when the monitor is idle. Also, the lock prevents the device from breaking and possible damage.
However, this should be unlocked to release the hold on mercury which will escalate a little bit
of this movement.
• The rubber pipe should be attached to both ends of the cuff and the pressure strap as well as on
the BP monitor on the other hand.
• Use your left arm for the cuff half an inch just beyond your elbow. You can also use your right
arm but be sure to record this on your notes.
• If you noticed that the strap has a Velcro, just stick the opposite ends. If a hook is present, find
an edge and simply tuck it in.
• Remember to strap your arm with the right pressure. Too loose or too tight can make the
readings inaccurate.
Getting your readings
After you had set up your BP device, you are now ready to measure your blood pressure. Check on the
following procedures for you to properly get the readings:
• Use the stethoscope and place them properly on your ears. The other end should be stuck in the
strap. Listen intently for the first rush of the pulse that rushes through the arteries of the arms.
• Before doing this, make sure you are in a quiet place so that you can hear the beating of the
blood clearly.
• Pump adequate amount of air in the strap in for the bulb to function properly. Tighten the screw
to guarantee air won’t leak.
• Continue pumping until you see the mercury going above the 30mm, after which you can
now hear complete silence for a couple of seconds. Note that it should be slightly beyond the
supposed diastolic pressure.
• Loosen the screw gradually until the air starts to flow slowly. Again, listen cautiously and watch
till the mercury begins to lower.
• A sound of blood rushing though the veins can be heard and becomes noticeably loud as the
flow of blood rises. A record that point which you heard is the strongest; that will be your systolic
pressure.
• Once again, listen to the sound till it fades slowly. You will notice that there will be a point when
you cannot hear anything anymore. Check on the numbers quickly because this will be your
diastolic pressure.
• Blood pressure measurement should be done twice or even thrice each day for an accurate basis of
diagnosis. Bring the record to your trusted doctor.