Algorithm for measuring blood pressure

Every person should know the algorithm for measuring blood pressure. Control of blood pressure indicators will help to avoid the development of diseases and serious complications.

The numbers on the tonometer are the main indicator of the work of the cardiovascular system. In a healthy person, systolic and diastolic parameters are within 120/80 mm Hg. Art., but in the presence of certain pathologies, these numbers can change dramatically.

In order to control the level of blood pressure, you do not need to go to the hospital all the time. You can also find out the indicators at home using a tonometer. Before proceeding with the measurement, it is worth knowing some algorithms of actions.

Preparation for pressure measurement

To get the correct numbers, it is best to use a mechanical cuffed blood pressure monitor. Automatic devices do not always give accurate results.

Instructions for preparation are as follows. Before deciding how to measure blood pressure, you need to choose a place where the patient will sit. Best of all - a chair or an armchair. Pressure is measured only in a calm state. It is forbidden to watch TV, listen to the radio or speak. If you do not adhere to such rules, then the indicators of the tonometer will not correspond to reality. They will be overpriced.

Anyone who abuses cigarettes should refrain from using them 30 minutes before the start of the manipulation. It is also forbidden to drink coffee, strong tea, tablets and drops that affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system. These include drugs for the common cold.

It should also be borne in mind that a full bladder significantly overestimates the final indicators. Therefore, it is necessary to go to the toilet in advance.

The indicator depends on the following parameters:

• age;
• gender;
• lifestyle;
• human professional activity.

Each has its own thresholds.

Pressure Measurement Procedure

The algorithm for measuring blood pressure is simple. Some skills require the use of mechanical blood pressure monitors. Medical professionals use them, as it is believed that such devices are the most accurate.

The process begins with the correct position of the patient: the posture of the person affects the result. The correct position of the patient is as follows: it is convenient to sit on a chair, while leaning back on its back. This placement will allow the muscles to completely relax. Hands should be on the armrests, but not hanging down. The legs must stand straight, it is not allowed to cross them or throw them at each other, since in this position the arteries are pinched, which leads to an incorrect result on the tonometer.

Quite often, people wonder which hand is best for measuring blood pressure? There is no difference, but it would be better to carry out manipulations on both limbs. Then repeat the measurement after 2-3 minutes. To get the most accurate result, you need to carry out several procedures on each arm.

All the resulting data must be recorded in a table. The first column should be labeled "right hand" and the second column should be labeled "left hand". After entering all the numbers, they must be crossed out one by one. First the biggest results, and then the smallest. If in the process of work it became known that the numbers are higher on one hand, then the pressure should always be measured on this limb. As a rule, the difference in performance on both hands is insignificant. It is recommended to carry out measuring manipulations on the one where they are larger. This technology takes time to implement. It is used if there is a possibility of incorrect indicators.

As for the tonometer cuff, you also need to be able to put it on correctly:

• place two centimeters above the elbow bend.
• securely fix with Velcro, a little obliquely. This will avoid incorrect results, since the thickness of the arm is not the same in all places.

Before starting the procedure, the arrow should be on the number zero. If the pointer is not positioned correctly, the pressure gauge should be corrected or the presence of air in the cuff not previously deflated should be checked. After that, you need to take a phonendoscope and attach it to the radial fossa under the cuff.

The technique for measuring blood pressure is as follows.

1. The procedure begins with pumping air inside the cuff. To do this, the air supply valve is closed on the rubber bulb and by repeatedly pressing this rubber element with the hand, air is pumped into the cuff. Such manipulation is carried out quickly and without stops - until the arrow on the pressure gauge rises above the expected number by 20 divisions.
2. Next, you need to start releasing air. The rate of weakening of the pear should be approximately 2 mm Hg. Art. for one beat of the pulse. If you carry out this manipulation quickly, then the upper and lower indicators may not appear.
3. The beginning of the pulse beats is the systolic pressure, and the end of the beat is the diastolic. No need to pay attention to the force of impact or breaks. As soon as the lower pressure “appeared”, it is necessary to quickly lower the air to zero.

It is necessary to record indicators in the table without rounding.

The countdown should not begin with the vibration of the arrow, but with the manifestation of sound.

The phases of BP tones are as follows.

1. First phase. At this stage, constant beats are heard. The sound has the ability to constantly increase. The first beats are counted as systolic pressure.
2. Second. At this stage, noises and rustlings begin to be heard during cuff deflation.
3. Third. It is determined by a crunchy sound that slowly builds up.
4. Fourth. The sound is quickly muffled and becomes soft. If this stage lasts to zero, then its indicator is considered as diastolic pressure.
5. Fifth. All pulse beats disappear, which indicates an indicator of lower blood pressure.

Between the first two phases, the sound is often inaudible. This is the norm.

If you want to measure blood pressure on the leg, then the cuff should be placed on the middle third of the thigh. The phonendoscope is applied to the popliteal fossa. All manipulations with the measurement on the lower limb are similar to the procedures performed on the hands. The diastolic pressure on the lower extremity is the same as on the arm, but the systolic pressure is 10-20 points higher.

Self-measurement of blood pressure has a number of advantages:

• at home, a person feels much freer than in a hospital. At the same time, the results will be more accurate than in the doctor's office (there is no “white coat effect”);
• in the hospital, as a rule, they do not show the result of the measurement, but only say it. So the pressure automatically increases because of the experience;
• it is easier for the patient to independently evaluate the result of taking medications.

Measurement of pressure in children

Often, young children have pathologies that require regular monitoring of blood pressure. It is difficult to measure the pressure of a child. Children are difficult to get to sit upright and still. In such cases, it is recommended to occupy or distract the baby, for example, explain the measurement process or ask for "help" to follow the arrow.

How to measure blood pressure in children?

1. Babies. The maximum systolic rate is between 74 and 76 mm Hg. Art., and the minimum is 1/2 or 2/3 of the maximum.
2. First year of life. The BP indicator changes slightly. The maximum indicator is calculated according to the following formula: BP \u003d 76 + 2p. The number 76 is the maximum pressure in newborns, and the letter "p" is the number of months the child lives. The highest systolic rate in these children is in the range from 80-85 to 100 mm Hg. Art.
3. Children over one year old. The rules for measuring blood pressure at this age are different. It is calculated by the formula: BP max. = 100 + 2p. Where "p" is the child's age in years. BP min. = 80 + 2p.

It is necessary to measure the pressure at home 10-15 minutes after rest. Periodicity - no more than 3 minutes. The cuff of the tonometer should be ½ of the volume of the arm. Cuffs are commercially available, the width of which is from 3.5 to 13 cm.

How to measure pressure if there is no special cuff for children? Apply an electronic tonometer. It is much easier and simpler to measure pressure with such a device. On the child's arm, you must first put on the cuff, and then press the "start" button.

The electronic type of the tonometer independently takes in air, up to the required indicator. After that, he also lowers it himself, and the numbers of the upper, lower blood pressure, as well as the pulse appear on the screen. This type of device is very sensitive. The pressure is measured by him only in a calm state, sitting. Repeat the manipulations three times on each hand with an interval of 10-15 minutes.

Doctors recommend measuring blood pressure from time to time. This will identify pathologies at an early stage, prevent their development and serious complications.