How to measure blood pressure without a tonometer yourself. Measuring blood pressure - algorithm of actions. Blood pressure meters and procedure technique How to measure blood pressure in a person

Blood pressure on the vessels is not just two numbers separated by a fraction, but a reflection of the work of the entire human cardiovascular system. For the indicators to be reliable, you need to know how to correctly measure blood pressure.

Selecting a device

A tonometer (a device for measuring pressure) can be mechanical or electronic. Mechanical is more accurate, more reliable and cheaper. But it is quite difficult to take an accurate measurement without outside help. In addition, a phonendoscope or stethoscope is required, which is often not included in the kit.

The electronic device is simple and convenient for use at home. He will inflate the cuff himself, measure all the indicators correctly and display it on the screen.

There is an opinion that such a tonometer is “sinful” of inaccuracy, since after several measurements in a row it produces different numbers that differ by 5-10 mm. But the point is not in errors, but quite the opposite - in its high accuracy. The device detects the slightest vibrations. Therefore, for reliability, it is better to take three measurements in a row and derive the average value.

There are also semi-automatic models of electronic tonometers, where you need to pump air yourself, and the measurement results appear on the monitor. It is in the price range between manual and automatic.

You should also pay attention to the cuff. She can dress:

• on the shoulder;
• on the wrist;
• on your finger.

In the latter case, the measurement accuracy is the lowest.

Before purchasing a tonometer, you must first measure your upper arm circumference. Since the measurement result depends on the tightness of the cuff.

What influences the indicators

The numbers will be more accurate if several conditions are met before the planned pressure measurement:

• Do not drink drinks that contain caffeine (any tea, coffee, cola) one hour beforehand;
• abstain from smoking for an hour and a half;
• on the day when you plan to measure your blood pressure, do not drink alcohol;
• empty the bladder, since a full one distorts the indicators by up to 10 mm;
• a few minutes before the procedure, come to a state of complete rest and stabilize your breathing.

Which hand is used to measure blood pressure?

Often this question confuses the first independent measurement. Everyone remembers which hand the doctor last measured on.

If you act correctly, then you first need to carry out the procedure for determining “your” hand. You will have to spend a little time, but it is necessary for the sake of future accurate results.

The process is as follows:

• The pressure on each arm is measured 10 times at intervals of three minutes. All results are recorded;
• The average value of the indicators for each hand is calculated;
• By comparing the data, a hand with higher values ​​is identified. This is where you need to measure your blood pressure from now on.

But it may also turn out that the numbers will be approximately the same. Then the algorithm is as follows: left-handed people measure on the right, right-handed people measure on the left.

It is difficult to carry out this procedure correctly on your own, so it is advisable to ask another person for help

Technique for measuring pressure with a mechanical tonometer

So, to measure, you must have a tonometer, a cuff, a rubber bulb (sphygmomanometer) and a phonendoscope (or stethoscope). Everyone has been familiar with the latter since childhood, hearing from doctors: “Breathe or don’t breathe.”

Procedure:

1. A cuff is placed on the selected arm so that its lower edge is 2 cm from the bend of the elbow. Naturally, the tube should come out from below.
2. The cuff is tightened tightly slightly to a cone: the upper girth is larger than the lower one.
3. Check that the tonometer needle is at the zero mark.
4. Find the brachial artery by pulsation in the area of ​​the elbow bend and apply a phonendoscope sensor to it.
5. Next, the blower pumps air 20 mm higher than the value at which the pulse disappeared in the phonendoscope. But not lower than 180-200 mm. For example, the pulsation stopped being audible when the needle was at 190, then you need to “get” to 210 mm.
6. Carefully and slowly open the valve (screw) on the bulb, releasing the pressure. Vision and hearing are involved: constant monitoring of the needle and listening to the heartbeat. At what point the first knock appears, the pressure will be upper (systolic). When the pulse can no longer be heard, the lower (diastolic) pressure is recorded.

Correct placement of the phonendoscope sensor

Some tips:

• In order for the signal to pass more accurately, you should make sure that the earphones of the phonendoscope are clean. Do not pinch the ear head with your fingers;
• It is better to take the measurement in a sitting position with support on the back of a chair. Straighten your legs in front of you;
• put your hand on the table and relax. The cuff should be at the level of the heart muscle. Moreover, it does not matter where it is fixed - on the shoulder, wrist or finger;
• If during measurement you cannot hear heart sounds at all, then the arm with the cuff should be slightly raised and bent and unbent several times.

How to use an electronic blood pressure monitor

All the wisdom of use lies in pressing the “start” button. Of course, you must first secure the cuff correctly. How tightly it fits will be shown by the icon on the monitor. This is usually a symbol of a circle with "OK" written on it. After pressing the button, air is pumped in, while the pulse indicator flashes on the screen.

It is easy to measure blood pressure yourself with an electronic tonometer

When the maximum pressure level is reached, the device will beep and the cuff will begin to relax. At the end of the process, the upper and lower pressure values ​​will appear on the screen. Some blood pressure monitors are capable of recording them in a “history” for further comparison.

If there is no device

If you do not have the necessary equipment at hand, you can measure blood pressure without a tonometer.

It may be necessary to measure blood pressure without a tonometer in order to take medications in a timely manner.

Pulse measurement:

• you should sit in a comfortable position and stabilize your breathing;
• put your watch within sight;
• on the right wrist, feel the pulsation of the vein;
• then count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply the result by 2.

60 beats per minute or less means low blood pressure. If the value exceeds 80, then it is increased. Accordingly, everything in between is the norm.

If the pulse is difficult to palpate, then you can use the “pendulum” method. To do this, you will need a ruler 20-25 cm long, an ordinary thread 50-60 cm long and some small weighty object as a pendulum. For example, a ring.

The steps are as follows:

1. Place the ruler on your hand with the zero mark on your wrist and the other end on the bend of your elbow. To accurately determine the starting point, you need to bend the brush and mark the first fold;
2. thread the thread into the pendulum, fold the edges;
3. holding a pendulum on a string, align it with the zero mark on the ruler and begin a slow movement towards the elbow. The closer to the line, the more accurate the result;
4. the value above which the weight began to oscillate is the lower blood pressure reading. It must be multiplied by 10;
5. The pendulum should stop at the mark indicating the upper pressure.

For example, the load started moving at the 9 cm mark, but stopped at 14 cm. This means that the pressure is 140 to 90.

There are several signs that can help you determine what is happening with your blood pressure. If the vein on the wrist pressed with a finger continues to pulsate strongly, then the pressure is increased. If the movement almost disappears immediately, then it is reduced.

The body reacts to pressure surges with headaches

By the nature of the headache, you can determine the condition: if the pain pulsates with force in the temporal and occipital parts of the head, then the pressure is increased. If it is low, then dull, pressing pain spreads across the forehead, parietal part, and radiates to the temples. More often this condition occurs after sleep.

Also, when pressure increases, the complexion becomes red and vascular networks appear. Usually this condition is accompanied by shortness of breath, squeaking in the ears, “spots” or yellow spots in front of the eyes, and dull pain in the area of ​​the heart muscle. When it decreases, on the contrary, the face turns pale, acquiring a grayish tint. Sounds and smells are acutely felt, and a sharp reaction to light is noted.

What pressure is considered normal?

So, the pressure was measured and the readings were recorded. But how do you respond if they deviate from the traditional 120/80 standard? There is a special formula by which you can calculate your individual physiological norm. After all, even in a completely healthy person, indicators have the right to deviate from the ideal value.

Calculation for upper pressure: 102+V*0.6

For the bottom: 63+V*0.4

In both cases, “B” is age.

For example, for a 35-year-old person, a pressure of 102+35*0.6=123 and 63+35*0.4=77 would be considered normal. That is, 123/77 is the norm for a specific age. But this is also approximate. Because there are nuances depending on gender, hormonal levels, athletic form and other characteristics of the body.

However, a number of studies have shown that with a blood pressure of 130-139/85-89 mm considered normal, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases doubles.

There are quite a lot of people who, for no apparent reason, always have significantly increased blood pressure, but nothing hurts. For example, 140/90. No pathologies are detected during examination. This type of hypertension is called idiopathic. That is, it is not associated with physical disorders in the body, but is caused by heredity, constitution, bad habits and appears more often after 40 years, when the regulatory functions of the body weaken.

Who needs constant blood pressure monitoring

It is useful for a healthy person to measure his indicators at least once a quarter in order to know what level of pressure is the working norm for him and to easily catch deviations.

It is necessary to control blood pressure when selecting loads for physical education

It is recommended that people who have a tendency to increase their blood pressure regularly measure their blood pressure. Because constantly elevated blood pressure, in addition to feeling unwell, can provoke the development of hypertension, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.

Those diagnosed with arterial hypertension should use a blood pressure monitor twice a day: morning and evening.

Hypertension is a very insidious disease. Do not underestimate the harm that it causes to the body day after day.

Arterial (blood) pressure is an important indicator of health status, which should be monitored by everyone without exception.

The procedure for measuring it is quite simple and does not require the mandatory involvement of medical workers. But it requires attention, accuracy, and strict adherence to the prescribed rules. Only in this case can we talk about the reliability of the results obtained.

Sphygmomanometers, better known as cuff tonometers, are used for measurement. Sphygmomanometry or tonometry is the main method for diagnosing arterial hypertension and high blood pressure. Blood pressure is not a stable (constant) value and often fluctuates throughout the day. True, these fluctuations in healthy people are insignificant.

Accurate diagnosis requires multiple measurements. If the readings change slightly upward, it is necessary to carry out repeated measurements over a long period of time (from one to several months). This practice will help to accurately determine the blood pressure characteristic only for a given person, familiar to his daily life.

High blood pressure is a risk of damage to:

1. Target organs.
2. Of cardio-vascular system.

Attention! To make the result more reliable, at least two measurements must be taken. It is usually impossible to establish a diagnosis only on the basis of the patient’s complaints during the initial examination. Diagnosis of arterial hypertension is carried out only after medical examinations, laboratory and instrumental studies during the patient’s repeated visits to a medical institution.

The importance of constant monitoring

Nowadays, the role of mental stress and poor nutrition is increasing. Therefore, hypertension is becoming the number one problem for all of humanity. Even government programs in place in many developed countries to combat this problem and the titanic efforts of qualified medical workers do not help.

In such conditions, it is difficult to overestimate the awareness of the population and the practical acquisition of the necessary skills in measuring blood pressure. This will help to maintain health to a certain extent.

The measurement process is not a complicated manipulation, and tonometers of various designs can be purchased at any pharmacy.

Pay close attention to measurement rules. Remember that without following them you will not get accurate indicators. This means that you will not be able to take effective measures against arterial hypertension, which poses a threat to health and even life.

Measurement protocol - what is it?

For what reasons should a measurement protocol be followed?

The rules of this protocol apply to measurements with any tonometer.

Under what conditions should blood pressure be measured?

To accurately determine indicators, a number of conditions are necessary:

• calm comfortable environment;
• room temperature is about 18 degrees Celsius;
• adaptation of the patient to the conditions of the office within seven to ten minutes;
• rest for the same amount of time before the procedure in your home;
• refusal to eat one and a half to two hours before measuring blood pressure.

It is better to refrain from smoking, drinking tonic drinks, alcohol, and sympathomimetics (for example, nasal and eye drops) for two hours before the planned procedure.

A good option is complete refusal, since we are talking about factors that significantly increase blood pressure.

Attention! There are many common misconceptions. So, it would be a mistake to assume that it depends on age. Simply, with age, the number of chronic diseases that can contribute to the development of hypertension increases.

Why does blood pressure increase? What is this connected with? Risk factors.

Factors influencing increases in blood pressure include physical and psycho-emotional stress. For some, after such loads it can increase by several tens of millimeters of mercury.

Why?

The body increases blood flow to the brain and those organs that are important at this time. With the blood, oxygen and all the substances necessary for full functioning are supplied to them to compensate for the energy spent during exercise. In order for blood flow to increase, blood vessels spasm, and the strength and frequency of heart contractions increases.

Note. However, in healthy people it does not rise too high. After a short rest it returns to its original level.

When should action be taken?

An indication for taking special medical measures is the factor of prolonged and significant excess of blood pressure above normal values.

What is the optimal body position for measurement?

There are three positions at which pressure can be determined:

• in a sitting position;
• lying on your back;
• standing pose.

Attention! The main thing is to hold your hand correctly. The middle part of the cuff and the heart must be at the same level! Otherwise, the results may be distorted.

Seated position

Sit on a regular chair or in a comfortable chair. You should feel reliable support behind your back. Legs should not be crossed. Calm your breathing, as rapid breathing is a factor that changes the readings. Relax your hand, place it comfortably on the table with emphasis on the elbow. The hand must remain motionless throughout the entire procedure. If the table is not high enough, use a special arm rest.

Do not allow your arm to sag when measuring pressure.

What should you pay attention to when using an electronic blood pressure monitor?

The oscillometric technique has a serious drawback in that the electronic tonometer is extremely sensitive to the slightest fluctuations. Do not move your hand during the procedure or press the cuff towards you so that the device does not react to your breathing.

How to choose a cuff?

The selection of the cuff is influenced by the shoulder volume. It should be measured in the middle of the shoulder using a measuring tape. It is allowed to measure blood pressure in adults with a standard tonometer with a regular cuff if the shoulder volume is from 22 to 32 centimeters. If your indicators do not meet this standard, order a special non-standard cuff for yourself.

The width and length of the elastic chamber in the cuff are also based on the volume of the shoulder:

1. Length – 80% or more of this volume.
2. Width – at least 40%.

A smaller camera width overestimates the indicators, and a wider one underestimates them.

Regular pharmacies sell several types of cuffs:

• standard (ranging from 20 to 32 centimeters);
• children's (from 12 to 20 centimeters);
• large size (up to 45 centimeters).

Note. Most tonometers are subject to additional equipment.

Try to adhere to the recommendations below:

• Place the cuff a few centimeters above the bend of your elbow.
• Make sure that the connecting tube is placed over the hole in the elbow.
• Check that the cuff fits snugly and evenly.
• Typically, most people have conical shoulders, that is, they are wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. In view of this, put on the cuff slightly obliquely to ensure uniform adhesion of the material over the surface of the arm.
• Carry out the procedure for measuring blood pressure using a mechanical tonometer, having first freed your arm from the sleeve - clothing, when rolled up, can compress the blood vessels, thereby impairing blood circulation.
• When using electronic tonometers, it is possible to put the cuff on loose clothing, this is their advantage. When using a modern device, do not forget about its hypersensitivity! Wear the cuff correctly and keep your arm immobilized.

What to pay attention to when measuring mechanical tonometers?

When choosing a mechanical tonometer to measure pressure, remember that the decrease must be adjusted taking into account two millimeters of mercury per second.

If you are measuring above two hundred millimeters of mercury, you can increase the speed to five millimeters per second.

Advantages of electronic devices

Electronic blood pressure monitors:

• operate in automatic or semi-automatic mode;
• provide automatic control of the rate of pressure reduction in the cuff;
• Contrary to popular belief, they do not always guarantee accurate measurements even if the measurement rules are strictly followed.

Measurement multiplicity technique. What is this?

Repeated measurements are allowed within two to three minutes after the previous measurement. This is the time required for complete restoration of blood flow in the vessels.

Attention! The patient's first visit to the doctor or the first independent study requires mandatory blood pressure measurements on both the left and right arms.

What to do if persistent and significant asymmetry in indicators is identified?

If we are talking about ten millimeters of mercury and above for systolic blood pressure or five millimeters of mercury for diastolic, further measurements should be taken on the arm where higher values ​​​​are diagnosed.

If the results of repeated measurements differ little from each other (the difference is up to five millimeters of mercury), there is no point in continuing the measurement. The indicator is averaged and taken as a basis for taking the necessary therapeutic and preventive measures, if necessary.

An increase in the difference of five millimeters of mercury or more is the basis for a third measurement. It should be compared with the second measurement. If you doubt the correctness of the result, take the measurement a fourth time.

Sometimes a series of studies shows a progression of pressure reduction. In this case, give the patient time to rest and calm down.

In the presence of multidirectional oscillations, it makes no sense to carry out further measurements. For the final diagnosis, the digital average of the three measurements is selected. In this case, exclude the maximum and minimum values.

Avoid common mistakes when measuring

There is a certain set of factors, ignorance of which leads to erroneous indicators and often does not allow diagnosing hypertension.

Pay attention to the following points:

• Do not buy cuffs that do not fit your shoulder size.
• Allow more time to adapt before the first measurement.
• Be sure to monitor pressure asymmetry on different hands.
• Check the position of your body and the hand being measured using the rules above.

Be aware of possible inaccuracies in the readings of your blood pressure device.

Important conditions for obtaining reliable results

For diagnostic accuracy and reliability of measurement results, three important conditions must be met:

• Standardization.
• Regularity of calibration.
• Periodic metrological check of the pressure gauge.

When diagnosing, it should be taken into account that a significant part of tonometers used in domestic clinics suffer from an error in a fairly wide range from two to fifteen points.

Taking into account the human factor

There are clear recommendations for health workers and patients, accepted in world medical practice. However, in this matter, a clear and uniform algorithm for measuring blood pressure has not yet been developed. This problem is typical not only for “third countries”, but also for developed countries, including the USA,

For example, in American clinics, about half of qualified doctors and junior medical workers measure blood pressure in patients in violation of generally accepted methods. The error in this state of affairs averages from fifteen to twenty divisions, corresponding to millimeters of mercury.

Factor of individual variability. What is this?

The maximum variability of readings when diagnosing pressure is shown by daily monitoring. Average values ​​for it usually exceed those recorded in clinical conditions by 22 millimeters of mercury.

One of the reasons can be pointed to the so-called “white coat” effect (reaction to the cuff). This is a fairly common phenomenon, characteristic of the majority of patients (about 75%) who see a doctor. This effect is more typical for women.

Gaining experience in constant handling of meters. Recommendations from experts

Remember that a single measurement in most cases does not provide an accurate picture of the situation that should be trusted.

With regard to arterial hypertension, overdiagnosis is quite often allowed - it is diagnosed where it is actually absent. In these cases, the patient, with normal blood pressure, takes antihypertensive drugs that reduce it. As a result, health is harmed and the patient's condition worsens.

Learn to measure it correctly! Develop the necessary skills! This will prevent you from taking medications unnecessarily.

Monitor your blood pressure several times every day.

Additional information for patients

Do not use special wrist blood pressure monitors without your doctor's advice. The accuracy of these devices often leaves much to be desired.

Self-measurement is inconvenient and difficult for many. Therefore, it is better to seek the help of health workers or relatives or friends who have the necessary skills.

It must be taken into account that the indicators obtained in different conditions will vary to some extent.

How to make sure that the pressure is normal?

Your health in general and normal blood pressure levels in particular directly depend on your psychological state.

Good-natured and positive-minded people get sick much less than those who are always dissatisfied with everything. Remember that your thoughts shape your overall well-being.

Remember the joyful moments in your life more often and focus less on the negative aspects of life. Be not a bored skeptic, but a romantic optimist.

It will be much easier for you to endure not only heavy physical and psychological stress, but also to quickly mobilize internal reserves to fight various diseases, and it is easier to endure moral or physical pain.

Show love to the world, to strangers and loved ones. Don't get upset over little things. What seems important to you now will not be even the slightest cause for concern tomorrow.

Get creative. Knitting, drawing, reading books lead to contemplation and a philosophy of calm. A positive attitude along with proper rest helps normalize blood pressure.

Useful video

Be always happy and healthy!

Dear visitors of the Farmamir website. This article does not constitute medical advice and should not serve as a substitute for consultation with a physician.

Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences RNIMU named after. N.I. Pirogov

The concept of blood pressure (BP) refers to the force of blood flow onto the walls of blood vessels. Its value depends on many factors. These are the forces of blood flow ejected by the heart, the elasticity of blood vessels and even the composition of the blood.

The method of measuring blood pressure is the main and most relevant method for diagnosing hypertension.

It is important for every patient suffering from arterial hypertension to know how blood pressure is measured correctly. The skill of diagnosing will help to control the disease and, together with the attending physician, draw up a program for correcting the disease. Also, the ability to accurately calculate your blood pressure gives a correct understanding of the drug’s effect on the body. In particular, taking medications that reduce it to normal values.

Measuring instruments

To diagnose blood pressure at home, two types of tonometers are used:

1. Analogue tonometers or aneroid sphygmomanometers. These are devices of mechanical-acoustic type. They are quite simple to operate and maintain. They have a long service life, but require adjustment and calibration during long-term use. Mechanical instruments record values ​​and numbers more accurately than automatic ones.
2. Electronic blood pressure monitors. They can be either automatic or semi-automatic. These devices are designed specifically for diagnosing blood pressure at home. They are convenient and do not require special skills from the patient when measuring. The cost of these devices is slightly higher than that of mechanical analogues. The only negative is a small error after frequent use.

How to measure your blood pressure correctly

To improve measurement accuracy it is necessary:

• Before starting the diagnosis, sit in a calm environment for 5 minutes;
• do not smoke for 30 minutes before diagnosis;
• Blood pressure is best measured while sitting. In this case, the patient’s hand is in a relaxed state and free from clothing. There should be no scars or cuts on the skin in the area of ​​the brachial artery, as well as swelling or a hemodialysis fistula;
• the elbow bend is placed at the level of the heart; to do this, place the hand on the table just above the lumbar region;
• The tonometer cuff is placed on the shoulder so that its lower border is two fingers above the level of the elbow. The cuff itself is attached quite tightly, and it should not cause pain;
• Blood pressure is determined twice, with an interval of 2 minutes. In the case when the readings diverge by more than 5 mmHg. column, an additional measurement is taken. Based on the data obtained, its average value is derived.

For the first measurement, it is recommended to take readings from both hands. After the initial reading, the pressure is checked on the arm where its level is higher. A more difficult task is to calculate it when the heart rhythm is disturbed. In this case, it is better to entrust the readings to a medical professional.

When diagnosed with hypertension, it is recommended to measure blood pressure twice a day, morning and evening (at 21:00 - 22:00). It is also recorded for any signs of deterioration in the patient’s condition. The obtained indicators are recorded in a recording for further consultation with the attending physician.

Automatic blood pressure monitor

How to correctly measure blood pressure with an automatic tonometer? As practice shows, in comparison with a mechanical device, an electronic tonometer is significantly inferior in diagnostic accuracy. Electronics are more sensitive, so any slight violation in determining blood pressure can affect the final result.

Using an electronic blood pressure monitor is quite simple. It is enough to put the cuff on your arm and turn on one button on the device. Next, automatic inflation of air into the cuff of the device will begin. In a semi-automatic device, air is pumped using a bulb. Taking readings, as well as deflating the cuff, in both cases is carried out by the device itself.

Electronic devices

Methods for measuring pressure with an electronic device:

1. Before putting on the cuffs, the shoulder of the arm is released. It is necessary to remove the sleeve of the outerwear so that it does not pinch the upper part of the shoulder. The best option is to monitor blood pressure in both arms. For self-measurement, the cuff is placed on the non-dominant arm. However, the correct readings will be on the arm on which the blood pressure level is higher than on the other.
2. The hand is placed on a flat surface; this can be done on a table or armrest of a chair. In this case, the extensor part of the forearm is on the surface, and the limb is in a relaxed state.
3. Check the condition of the electronic device. It should not have any damage, kinks or bends on the surface of the hose.
4. Separate the edges of the cuff. Put it on the shoulder using a circular wrapping method, a little higher (two fingers) from the elbow. In this case, the air supply hose should pass exactly in the middle between the conditional line of the middle of the bend of the elbow and the middle finger of the hand.
5. If the device cuff is marked with a fitting line, position it so that it is in the middle position inside the upper arm.
6. Start the device by pressing a button.
7. Wait while the device pumps and deflates air. Be in a relaxed state and do not touch the device.
8. Numbers will appear on the device display. The top indicator is responsible for systolic pressure, the bottom for diastolic pressure. Many devices also record heart rate. This value will appear lower than others. In this case, diastolic blood pressure will be located above the pulse, in the middle column.
9. Turn off the device using the button and wait until it turns off completely.
10. Remove the cuff from your shoulder. Diagnostics completed!

An automatic tonometer is very convenient and should be present at home for every hypertensive patient.

Mechanical tonometer

How to correctly measure blood pressure with a mechanical tonometer? The use of an analog device causes some difficulty for an inexperienced patient. Not every person understands the first time how to correctly take readings using a mechanical tonometer.

To determine the exact blood pressure, a phonendoscope is used. This device is designed to listen to sound vibrations that are produced during the functioning of internal organs. The device itself consists of ear tips, conductive tubes that record vibrations, and a “head” with a sensitive membrane.

When measuring blood pressure with an analog device, a phonendoscope helps to hear fluctuations in blood flow when the cuff is loosened or compressed. In this case, the scale of the device helps to determine the moment of the onset of pulsation and attenuation of blood pressure in conjunction with the appearance of sound “pushes” in the phonendoscope.

• Before the measurement procedure, you need to relax for 5 minutes. If you come from the cold, you should warm up completely. Take a seat on a chair with a back and relax your legs without crossing them. Lying down is also not recommended.
• The shoulder girdle and arms should be relaxed. Place your hand, palm up, on the table surface, approximately at heart level. Place the cuff on your arm so that one finger fits between it and the surface of your forearm. The lower edge of the cuff should be 2.5 cm above the elbow bend.
• Place the pressure gauge dial in direct line of sight so that its scale is clearly visible. Place the stethoscope on the bend of your elbow, holding it, slightly tucking the head under the edge of the cuff. Begin to force the air by manually squeezing the pear.
• Listen carefully until the first tremors appear (the first stage according to Korotkov). They will show the level of systolic pressure. Repeat pumping again until the SBP becomes more than 30 mm Hg. Art. Let go of the pear. The moment the sounds disappear will indicate diastolic blood pressure.

Repeat the entire process after a few minutes. Print the average between two device readings.

In case of heart rhythm disturbance, it is better to entrust blood pressure measurements to a medical professional.

What to do if the tonometer shows very high blood pressure

In this case, take two control measurements after 10 minutes!

If high blood pressure levels and poor health of the patient are repeatedly detected, it is necessary:

1. For hypertensive patients, take the medicine urgently. For healthy people, call an ambulance.
2. In very severe conditions, take a tablet “under the tongue”. In this case, captopril (Capoten) at a dosage of 25-50 mg. Or the drug nifedipine (Corinfar), at a dosage of 10 mg.
3. If chest pain occurs (a symptom of angina), take a nitroglycerin tablet “under the tongue.”

To correctly measure blood pressure with an electronic tonometer, you must follow the following basic recommendations:

• take measurements in a quiet environment. 20-30 minutes before the procedure for determining blood pressure (blood pressure), refrain from psycho-emotional and physical stress, drinking strong tea, coffee and caffeine-containing drinks, alcohol;
• make sure that the batteries are functional and installed with correct polarity if a device with independent power sources is used. If the tonometer is equipped with a power supply, you must make sure that it is connected correctly and is not damaged;
• take a comfortable position (lying or sitting) during the measurement;
• During the measurement process, remain calm, do not move or talk.

Features of electronic devices for measuring blood pressure

In order to measure pressure as accurately as possible with an electronic tonometer, you need to know what types of devices exist, since the algorithms for working with them are somewhat different.

Wrist devices, which record blood pressure on the thinner radial artery, are not recommended for blood pressure monitoring in people over 45 years of age or in patients with vascular disease.

Electronic blood pressure monitors come in two types: semi-automatic and fully automatic. In the first case, the device is equipped with a special rubber supercharger (bulb). The pressure figures are determined with the partial participation of the user himself: the cuff of the device is filled with air manually. Fully automatic devices operate without the participation of the patient; such devices do not have a rubber blower. To take a measurement, simply put on the cuff and press the button that activates the device.

Automated blood pressure monitors are available in two modifications:

• with a cuff that fits over the shoulder;
• in the form of a monoblock, which is fixed on the wrist like a watch.

Electronic devices operate according to the oscillometric principle. At the same time, highly sensitive sensors located in the air cylinder of the cuff read the vibrations of the air in it during the pulsation of the vessels - that is, not the shocks of blood in the arteries, but the shocks of air in the cuff.

For this reason, wrist devices, which record blood pressure at the thinner radial artery, are not recommended for blood pressure monitoring in people over 45 years of age or in patients with vascular disease. The measurement result in this case will have a high error.

Electronic tonometers are most convenient for measuring blood pressure yourself (without outside help), which is especially important for lonely, elderly patients, people with impaired vision and hearing, who find it difficult to use a manual device, as well as for patients who require systematic blood pressure monitoring.

Experts advise initially taking measurements on both limbs and then using the arm on which the readings were higher to determine blood pressure.

How to measure blood pressure correctly with an automatic tonometer

The algorithm for measuring pressure with a semi-automatic electronic tonometer is as follows:

1. Take a comfortable body position, if possible, do not talk or actively move a few minutes before the measurement (this can provoke a short-term rise in blood pressure and distort the result).
2. Place your hand on a flat surface so that it is located approximately at the level of the middle of the chest.
3. Place the cuff on the shoulder, placing the tubes on the inside of the arm, as indicated in the instructions for the device, and fix it not too tightly (so that you can place a finger between its surface and the arm).
4. Turn on the device (the “Start” or “Start” button, depending on the modification of the device).
5. Using a bulb, fill the air balloon with air until a sound signal appears (in some models and a visual indication), which indicates that the cuff is full.
6. Upon completion of the measurement process, information about the value of systolic and diastolic pressure, as well as pulse rate, will be displayed on the LCD monitor.

The device automatically bleeds air; no action is required.

The use of an automatic blood pressure meter with a pneumatic balloon fixed on the shoulder differs slightly from the use of a semi-automatic device.

The actions are performed in the same order, only instead of inflating the cuff with a supercharger, the user simply presses the “Start” button. All measurement stages in this case are performed by the device independently without patient intervention.

The rules for measuring blood pressure using a wrist tonometer are almost the same as in previous cases.

Electronic devices operate according to the oscillometric principle. At the same time, highly sensitive sensors located in the air cylinder of the cuff read the vibrations of the air in it during the pulsation of the blood vessels.

Wrist gauges are attached in the projection of the joint, just above the hand (approximately like a wristwatch). The main unit of the device should be turned towards the inside of the arm.

The tonometer is located at the same level as the heart. During the procedure, it is not recommended to move your hand or fingers. For maximum reliability of the data obtained, you need to repeat the measurement twice with an interval of 3-5 minutes and determine the average value.

The photo shows a semi-automatic tonometer.

Popular devices for measuring blood pressure

There are several brands on the modern market that produce the best semi-automatic and automatic devices, including Tensoval, Microlife, B.Well, Little Doctor. But the most popular are the Japanese manufacturers of tonometers: AnD and Omron.

Several automated models are of greatest interest from the point of view of the relationship between functionality, quality and cost:

• AnD UA-888. Budget brachial tonometer, powered by replaceable batteries. It has a memory for several dozen measurements, automatically calculates average blood pressure readings, and signals heart rhythm disturbances;
• Omron M2. It is equipped with an anatomical cuff, has the ability to connect children’s accessories if necessary, and works on the basis of an intelligent “intelligent sensitivity” algorithm, which helps make the measurement process as comfortable and accurate as possible;
• AnD UA-777. This device is distinguished by a new generation universal cuff, which is suitable for users with non-standard shoulder volume, a graphic scale for the degree of blood pressure increase (according to the criteria of the World Health Organization), and a ten-year warranty from the manufacturer.

Modern electronic devices have an error not exceeding 3-5 mmHg. Art. The opinion that digital devices consistently overestimate or underestimate indicators is a myth.

Frequently asked questions about measuring blood pressure with an electronic tonometer

How often should you measure blood pressure?

If you have a disease - in the morning and in the evening, preferably twice, with an interval of 3-5 minutes (with the determination of average values), as well as when your health worsens. For episodic control - when discomfort occurs (headache, dizziness, stabbing pain in the heart, feeling of weakness, flies or spots of light flashing before the eyes, tinnitus, drowsiness). There is no specific rule for how many times a day to measure blood pressure.

Which hand is better to measure on: the left or the right?

More often, pressure is determined on the left hand, although this is not a mandatory requirement. Experts advise initially taking measurements on both limbs and then using the arm on which the readings were higher to determine blood pressure.

Why does it show different pressure on different hands?

The most common causes are anatomical features of the structure of the muscles and vascular bed, arterial diseases, impaired autonomic regulation, and psycho-emotional instability.

Does an electronic device overestimate the numbers compared to a manual blood pressure monitor?

Modern electronic devices have an error not exceeding 3-5 mmHg. Art. The opinion that digital devices consistently overestimate or underestimate indicators is a myth.

When is the best time to take measurements?

Cardiologists advise measuring blood pressure daily, morning and evening.

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