It's not difficult to check your own blood pressure manually.
Steps for Checking Blood Pressure
Remove the stethoscope from the ears, and turn the knob on the bulb further counter-clockwise to completely release the air from the cuff. Squeeze out the excess air from the cuff.
- Wrap the blood pressure cuff around the patient's upper arm with the arrow pointing into the bend of the patient's elbow. The bottom of the cuff should be about an inch above the bend of the elbow. Close the Velcro snugly, but not tightly.
- Put the earpieces of the stethoscope into the checker's ears. Place the chest piece of the stethoscope into the center of the bend of the patient's elbow. Using his non-dominate hand (left hand for most people), the checker should hold the chest piece with your index finger, or index and middle finger, but never his thumb (using the thumb will cause him to hear too many heartbeats). Continue to hold the chest piece in place until the blood pressure reading is complete.
- Using the thumb and forefinger, turn the knob on the bulb clockwise until it just stops, but do not make it tight. This closes the air valve. Squeeze the bulb in the palm repeatedly while watching the meter on the cuff. The needle should go about 20 points above the top number of the patient's normal blood pressure.
- Turn the knob on the bulb counter-clockwise until air begins seeping out, and the needle on the meter starts falling slowly. Listen carefully for the first time a heartbeat is heard, and notice which number on the meter the needle is pointing to at the time. This is the top number of the patient's blood pressure.
- Continue listening to the patient's heartbeat, which will become increasingly louder then increasingly quieter, until it is no longer heard. Notice what number on the meter the needle is pointing to when the final heartbeat is heard. This is the bottom number on the patient's blood pressure.
- After the bottom number is read, loosen the Velcro and remove the cuff from the patient's arm. Be careful to not squeeze the patient's arm.
Tips and Warnings
If the checker are not sure exactly which number the needle is pointing to at the time the first or last heartbeat is heard, the bulb may be squeezed again to make the needle go back up on the meter as the checker tries to notice the number again. This may be repeated several times if necessary.
If the checker can't get a good reading on one arm, he can switch to the patient's other arm.
The checker may put the cuff over one or two light layers of clothes, for example, a long-sleeved flannel shirt and undershirt. Jackets or thick sweaters may have to be removed or have the sleeves rolled up.
Never squeeze the cuff while it is on the patient's arm. This is very painful.
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