Introduction
A blood pressure test is used to measure the blood pressure level, whether low or high.
Two ways to check the blood pressure −
- Digital blood pressure for automated readings
- A sphygmomanometer for manual readings.
How to measure blood pressure?
Blood pressure levels can fluctuate due to various reasons such as stress, physical exertion, and extreme hot or cold temperature. But this fluctuation in the blood pressure level is temporary and normal. Readings taken once don’t necessarily mean that the person is having a high BP or low BP level, multiple recordings must be taken into consideration before starting the treatment.
So, blood pressure must be measured on different days while keeping some points in mind such as sitting down and relaxing, then waiting for about 3-4 minutes to get the circulatory system at rest. The upper arm should rest on the table at a height equal to the position of the heart, then in this resting position of the upper arm, measurement can be taken.
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Devices used to measure the blood pressure
Digital Blood Pressure Monitors
This is a very simple device, in which digital blood pressure monitors are placed on the wrist, on the finger, or on the upper arm. This device provides readings based on the volume of the blood flowing in the arteries. The level of the hand should be equal to the heart to avoid getting the wrong readings.
Sphygmomanometer
A sphygmomanometer can also be called a blood pressure meter or blood pressure gauge. This device consists of an inflatable cuff, manometer, valve, and bulb. It was invented by Karl Samuel Ritter von Baschin 1881.
Procedure to use Sphygmomanometer
- Step 1 − The cuff is wrapped at the bare and stretched-out upper arm.
- Step 2 − The cuff is then inflated to avoid the blood flow through the brachial artery.
- Step 3 − Then air goes slowly out of the cuff.
- Step 4 − When the air pressure in the cuff goes below the systolic blood pressure in the brachial artery, the blood will again flow through the arm.
- Step 5 − During this stethoscope can be used to hear the sound that comes when after the heartbeat, the walls of the vessels hit each other.
- Step 6 − Blood pressure reading can be read during the sound of the systolic blood pressure.
- Step 7 − Moreover, when the air pressure in the cuff goes down below the diastolic blood pressure, the diastolic blood pressure can be taken during that time.
Blood Pressure Readings
| BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORY | SYSTOLIC mm Hg(upper number) | DIATOLIC mm Hg (lower number) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORMAL | LESS THAN 120 | and | LESS THAN 80 |
| ELEVATED | 120-129 | and | LESS THAN 80 |
| HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) STAGE 1 | 130-139 | or | 80-90 |
| HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) STAGE 2 | 140 OR HIGHER | or | 90 OR HIGHTER |
| HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS (consult your doctor immediately) | HIGHER THAN 180 | and/or | HIGHER THAN 120 |
Important points
- Blood Pressure can be measured using a digital blood pressure for automated readings or a sphygmomanometer for manual readings.
- Readings taken once don’t necessarily mean that the person is having high BP or low BP level, multiple recordings must be taken into consideration before starting the treatment.
- Blood pressure must be measured on different days while keeping some points in mind such as sitting down and relaxing, then waiting for about 3-4 minutes to get the circulatory system at rest.
- The normal blood pressure is s considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.