Welcome to our blood pressure pages. We present an explanation of blood pressure cuffs; how to take blood pressure; adult and pediatric assessment guides; practice drills for hypertension in children; and a series of case studies. Practice Taking BP Adult Cases - I Adult Cases - II Pediatric Cases A sphygmomanometer is used to take blood pressure. The sphygmomanometer's cuff has an inflatable rubber bladder that is fastened around the arm. A pressure meter indicates the cuff's pressure. A small, handheld air pump inflates the blood pressure cuff. After the cuff has been inflated, an air valve is used to slowly release air pressure. As the pressure is released, a stethoscope is used to listen to arterial blood flow sounds. These sounds are called Korotkoff Sounds. The heart's beating pushes blood through the arteries causing a rise and fall of arterial pressure. The highest pressure is called systolic pressure and is followed by a decrease in pressure. This low blood pressure point is called diastolic pressure. When taking blood pressure, a stethoscope is used to help the user hear blood flow turbulence. The cuff is initially inflated well above expected systolic pressure. At this time, blood flow is stopped. No sounds are heard with the stethoscope. As the value is opened, pressure slowly diminishes. When the cuff's pressure equals the arterial systolic pressure, blood begins to flow past the cuff. This creates blood flow turbulence and can be heard with the stethoscope. When these sounds are initially heard, the practitioner makes a note of the cuff's pressure value. As the cuff's air is continued to be released, the blood turbulence sounds continue to be heard. When the cuff's air pressure falls below the patient's arterial diastolic pressure, the sounds stop. This pressure when the blood flow sounds stop indicates the diastolic pressure. Blood pressure is measured in units of millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Blood pressure values (readings) should be stated as pairs. The higher (systolic) value first, and then the lower (diastolic) value. For example, "128 over 84". This is written as 128/84mmHg. There are mercury, aneroid (mechanical dial), and digital blood pressure cuffs. Digital cuffs are automated while mercury and aneroid cuffs are used manually with a stethoscope. The patient's blood pressure can be taken while the patient is supine, seated, standing. In the common seated position, the patient's arm should be at the level of the heart. The arm should be supported and flexed a little. If the subject is anxious, wait a few minutes before taking the pressure.
The adult case studies provide training for blood pressure reading using patient examples with our simulator. The adult case study course will teach you how to take blood pressure readings, heart and lung sounds, patient history and test results in order to establish a diagnosis and a treatment plan. The cases presented involve hypertension (high blood pressure), hypotension (low blood pressure), elevation of only systolic or diastolic pressures. Adult Blood Pressure Cases - Part IAdult Blood Pressure Cases - Part II
These cases build assessment skills by simulating blood pressure measurement by auscultation. Users will also practice the evaluation of hypertension using the NIH's classification tables for children. Pediatric Blood Pressure CourseWe include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Your blood pressure provides clues about the amount of work your heart is doing to pump blood through your arteries. It’s one of your body’s vital signs. Having high blood pressure, known in medical terms as hypertension, can be harmful to your health in many ways. Over time, it can damage your vital organs including your heart, kidneys, and brain. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on your blood pressure and to take steps to manage it before it causes problems. One way to keep track of your blood pressure is to monitor it at home using an automated blood pressure machine, or by doing it manually. This article will walk you through how to check your blood pressure, along with tips to help ensure accurate readings. Blood pressure is measured using two different readings. Here’s what they mean:
For example, you may see blood pressure written as 117/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). In that case, the systolic pressure is 117 and the diastolic pressure is 80. Normal blood pressure is considered less than 120/80 mm Hg. This number can vary for many reasons. Higher numbers in either measurement can be a sign that your heart is working extra hard to pump blood through your arteries. This may be the result of an external trigger, like if you’re feeling stressed or scared. When this happens, it can cause your blood vessels to get narrower. Higher blood pressure measurements could also be caused by an internal force, such as the buildup of plaque or fatty deposits in your arteries. This can also cause your blood vessels to become narrower, which, in turn, can increase your blood pressure. If you’d like to check your own blood pressure at home, it’s best to first check with your doctor or healthcare professional about how they’d like you to monitor and record it. For example, they may prefer you to check your blood pressure:
The simplest way to measure your own blood pressure is to purchase an automated cuff. Automatic blood pressure machines are easy to use, and they’re helpful if you have any hearing impairments. These types of blood pressure cuffs have a digital monitor that will display your blood pressure reading on a screen. You can purchase these online, at most grocery stores, or at a health food store. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends an automated, upper arm blood pressure monitor for at-home use. To use your digital blood pressure monitor, carefully follow the instructions that come with the monitor. You can also take the monitor to your doctor’s office, or even your local pharmacy, for a demonstration. You should also have a notebook to use as a blood pressure log. This can be helpful for your doctor. You can also download a free blood pressure log from the AHA. Automated blood pressure machines can give you a different reading than a manual blood pressure reading. Bring your cuff to your next doctor’s appointment so you can compare the reading from your cuff to the reading that’s taken at your doctor’s office. This can help you calibrate your machine and identify the blood pressure levels you should look for on your own device. Even if you check your blood pressure at home, your doctor will still want to manually check it during appointments. To manually take your blood pressure, you’ll need:
If possible, enlist the help of a friend or family member, because it can be difficult to use this method on your own. To get the most accurate blood pressure reading, remember the following tips:
Although there are apps that promise to check your blood pressure without using equipment, this isn’t an accurate or reliable method. However, there are apps that can help you track your blood pressure results. This can be helpful in identifying patterns in your blood pressure. Your doctor may use this information to determine if you require blood pressure medications. Some examples of free apps to monitor blood pressure include:
These apps can help you quickly and easily track your blood pressure readings. Measuring your blood pressure regularly on the same arm can help you most accurately track your blood pressure readings. Blood pressure is a very individualized vital sign, which means it can be very different for each person. Some people have naturally low blood pressure all the time, while others may run on the higher side. In general, a normal blood pressure is considered anything less than 120/80 mm Hg. Your own personal blood pressure will depend on your:
If you do register a blood pressure reading of 120/80 mm Hg or over, wait 2 to 5 minutes and recheck. If it’s still high, talk with your doctor to rule out hypertension. Blood pressure chartWhile everyone is different, the AHA recommends the following ranges for healthy adults: When determining the category you fall into, it’s important to remember that both your systolic and diastolic numbers need to be in the normal range for your blood pressure to be considered normal. If one number falls into one of the other categories, your blood pressure is considered to be in that category. For example, if your blood pressure is 115/92, your blood pressure would be considered high blood pressure stage 2. Important There are two ways to measure your blood pressure at home. The simplest way is to use an automated blood pressure cuff, which you can purchase online or at most grocery stores or drugstores. This method is recommended by the AHA for at-home blood pressure monitoring. You can also measure your blood pressure manually. This is a more complicated option. You’ll need a blood pressure cuff with a squeezable balloon and an aneroid monitor as well as a stethoscope in order to measure your blood pressure this way. If you’re unsure of how to measure your blood pressure properly, your healthcare professional can show you how to do it. It’s also important to share your blood pressure readings with your doctor, especially if your blood pressure is outside of a normal range. This will help your doctor identify any issues early on and determine the right type of treatment for you. Last medically reviewed on March 23, 2022 Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Mar 23, 2022 By Chaunie Brusie, Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA Medically Reviewed By Chris Young, DNP, RN, NE-BC, NPD Copy Edited By Suan Pineda Jan 26, 2018 By Chaunie Brusie, Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA Medically Reviewed By Judith Marcin, MD |