WHAT IS THE CORRECT WAY TO MEASURE BLOOD PRESSURE AND A VIDEO HOW TO MEASURE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

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Watch this video showing how to take blood pressure properly which can provide more accurate information and better control

Recently I wrote about a study that said happy marriages lower blood pressure and bad marriages raise blood pressure. But what is the right way to measure blood pressure in the first place? There is a right and a wrong way to take blood pressure. There are millions of people who have high blood pressure.(Many of them don't know it,by the way) Blood pressure is reported as two numbers,such as 120/80, the systolic over the diastolic. The top number 120, the systolic is the maximum pressure when the heart pumps and the lower number 80, the diastolic, is the pressure in the arteries and the body when the heart relaxes.

What are the benefits of measuring my own blood pressure?

It beehoves you to understand how to measure your own blood pressure since home monitoring on a regular basis usually gives a more accurate picture than an occasional measurement at the doctor office. And poorly maintained blood pressure machines at drug stores and supermarkets have sent many a frightened patient scurrying to the doctor as they report erroneously high blood pressure. You can buy a blood pressure cuff with a built in stethoscope so you can listen while you measure your blood pressure or you can buy an automatic digital blood pressure machine.

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Using a blood pressure cuff or a blood pressure machine takes a little training and sometimes even doctor's office staff may not be measuring the blood pressure correctly. You will note that doctor's offices usually use a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope. It is easy to learn and you should think about buying a do it yourself blood pressure cuff with a built in stethoscope so you can measure your own blood pressure with accuracy.

Watch this how to measure blood pressure video Click the arrow to start



Why do I need the right size cuff for blood pressure?

First of all, you need to be sure you are using a blood pressure cuff that is the right size for you. If your arm is too large and the cuff is small your blood pressure will be recorded as higher than it really is. You can buy a larger size cuff for a larger arm.

Instructions for how to measure blood pressure with a blood pressure cuff or machine

Rest for 3 to 5 minutes before measuring your blood pressure. Do not talk.

Sit in a comfortable position, with your legs and ankles uncrossed and your back supported.

Place your arm, raised to the level of your heart, on a table or a desk, and sit still.

Wrap the correctly sized cuff smoothly and snugly around the upper part of your bare arm. The cuff should fit snugly, but there should be enough room for you to slip one fingertip under the cuff.

Be certain that the bottom edge of the cuff is 1 inch above the crease of your elbow.

Place the stethoscope disk on the inner side of the crease of your elbow.

Inflate the cuff by squeezing the rubber bulb to 30 to 40 points higher than your last systolic reading. Inflating the cuff too slowly will cause a false reading.

Slightly loosen the valve and slowly let some air out of the cuff. Deflate the cuff by 2 to 3 millimeters per second.

As you let the air out of the cuff, you will begin to hear your heartbeat. Listen carefully for the first sound. Check the blood pressure reading by looking at the pointer on the dial. This number will be your systolic pressure. Continue to deflate the cuff. Listen to your heartbeat. You will hear your heartbeat stop at some point. Check the reading on the dial. This number is your diastolic pressure.