How to measure pressure with an electronic tonometer correctly?

A person's life often depends on the correct measurement of blood pressure. This is due to the fact that with a significant increase in it, the patient needs to urgently provide first aid measures, and if the moment is missed, then the person's condition may worsen significantly.

That is why it is important to be able to correctly determine the level of blood pressure.

Features of pressure measurement

The device consists of the following elements:

• Cuff.
• Tube for air supply.
• Pear for pumping air.
• Pressure gauge.

Depending on the type of device and its model, it can be additionally equipped with a stethoscope or a special electronic sensor that detects changes in air level.

In order to accurately determine blood pressure, you must:

• An hour before the procedure, refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Avoid foods containing caffeine.
• Before starting the procedure, empty the bladder.
• Carry out the measurement in a calm environment.
• The procedure should be carried out in a sitting position.
• During the procedure, you can not move.
• To obtain the most accurate result, it is necessary to carry out the procedure 2 times with an interval of 5 minutes.

Compliance with the general rules will allow you to accurately determine blood pressure. However, in order to correctly measure blood pressure with a tonometer, you need to take into account its features.

Measuring blood pressure with a mechanical device

Each device that is used to record pressure indicators is operated taking into account certain features.

When carrying out the procedure using a mechanical device, the following rules must be observed:

• The cuff should be positioned on the arm slightly above the elbow. The optimal height is 3-5 centimeters.
• The stethoscope should be placed in the center of the fold. This is due to the fact that it is in this place that when the air is released, the pulse will be most clearly heard.
• It is necessary to pump up air until indicators of 200-220 units are reached.
• It is necessary to deflate the cuff at a rate of 2-4 mm per second.
• The first blow during the descent of air is an indicator of blood pressure.
• After the cessation of strokes, you need to fix the blood pressure indicator.
• Measurements must be taken 2 times. The average value most accurately reflects the level of blood pressure.

In addition, in order to correctly determine the level of blood pressure with a mechanical tonometer, 2 people are needed, therefore, for home use, experts recommend purchasing automatic or semi-automatic tonometers.

One of the most important conditions that must be met for a correct location measurement is the cuff at the level of the heart. This feature is due to the fact that in different places the pressure level can vary greatly. As a rule, the lower the hand is, the higher the indicator.

In addition, it is necessary to take into account that the cuff must be fixed on the arm with the same force. This means that there should be no areas where the cuff is pulled tighter against the arm. To do this, fix the element a little obliquely. This will allow you to measure the pressure as accurately as possible.

Also, when taking measurements, it should be borne in mind that you need to pump air to an indicator that is about 40 units higher than normal blood pressure. For example, at a pressure of 130 units, the indicator should be at 170. If you do not know the approximate pressure, then you can pump up to 200 units.

Measurement of blood pressure using a semi-automatic and automatic

A mechanical product is quite similar to a semi-automatic device. Their main difference is that there are no stethoscopes in the mechanical apparatus.

In general, the accuracy of automatic and semi-automatic devices is approximately the same. Their difference lies in the fact that in automatic models a compressor is installed that pumps air, and in semi-automatic models, air must be pumped in order to measure blood pressure with a pear.

Correctly measuring pressure with such devices is much easier. This is due to the fact that in order to correctly measure the pressure with such a tonometer, special skills are not needed.

To fix pressure indicators using a semi-automatic device, you must:

• Put on the cuff a little above the elbow.
• Turn on the device using a special button.
• Inflate air to an indicator that is 40 units higher than the working pressure.
• Place the pear on the table.
• Wait until the device releases air.
• If the display does not show numbers and an arrow appears pointing up, then it is necessary to carry out the measurement again, while increasing the initial indicator by 20 units.

This device will determine the level of blood pressure automatically and display it on a special screen. Also, such a device determines the presence of arrhythmias.

After the procedure, before removing the cuff, it is necessary to press the valve, which, as a rule, is located under the pear. When measuring with an automatic device, this measure is not necessary.

To determine the level of blood pressure using an electronic tonometer, it is necessary to adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

• Put the cuff on your arm a little above the elbow.
• Press the power button to start the procedure.
• Wait for the results that the device will determine.

Fixing readings using an automatic device is the simplest. It does not require special skills and abilities, and, therefore, is suitable for determining the level of blood pressure at home.

Which device do you prefer?

When choosing between different types of blood pressure monitors, you need to consider your abilities and capabilities. Physicians should give preference to the acquisition of a mechanical product, while for ordinary people, semi-automatic or automatic models are best suited.

Also, when purchasing the device, you should pay attention to the features of the cuff. There are models on the market designed to place the cuff in the elbow or on the wrist. It should be borne in mind that devices that measure in the wrist area are only necessary for patients suffering from vascular sclerosis or diabetes. That is, such models of devices are used to take measurements in people with impaired vascular elasticity.

When taking measurements at home, it should be taken into account that it is impossible to measure the level of blood pressure several times in a row. Between procedures there should be breaks of about 2 minutes. Compliance with such intervals will help determine the most accurate result, since the blood flow in the vessels will return to normal during this time.

In addition, you should never take measurements with your hand on weight. The hand must necessarily have support and lie calmly in a completely relaxed state. It is also necessary to take into account that it is impossible to roll up the sleeves when taking measurements. This is due to the fact that tissue can compress the brachial artery and distort the measurement result. That is why it is best to completely free your hand from clothing.