How To Use Blood Pressure Cuff

Before checking your blood pressure you need to prepare yourself for an accurate reading by not eating drinking or exercising in the 30 minutes before your test.

How to use blood pressure cuff. To monitor your blood pressure pick up an automatic cuff style blood pressure monitor that you can use at home from a pharmacy or medical supply store. Follow this smart shopper checklist. The cuff is placed above the antecubital artery and the cuff is above the upper arm. To begin blood pressure measurement use a properly sized blood pressure cuff.

Make sure you are relaxed and comfortable. Put the cuff on following the instructions that came with your monitor. How to take your blood pressure using a home blood pressure monitor. The stethoscope is placed near the antecubital artery and no sound will be hear when there is enough pressure.

However these monitors take your blood pressure in a different place meaning you must be particular about how you take your reading for accuracy. Slide the cuff onto your arm making sure that the stethoscope head is over the artery when using a manual monitor the cuff may be marked with an arrow to show the location of the stethoscope head. The home blood pressure monitor you choose should be the one that s right for you not necessarily the one your friend or neighbor likes. See our full length cna skill videos.

When you re ready to take your blood pressure sit quietly for three to five minutes beforehand. Make sure it fits. When you are taking your reading keep still and silent. Two types of blood pressure monitors are designed for home use.

When using a wrist blood pressure monitor take extra care to use it properly. It s difficult to use if you re hearing or visually impaired or if you re unable to perform the hand movements needed to squeeze the bulb and inflate the cuff. Correct placement of the blood pressure cuff is vital in getting a proper blood pressure reading. The length of the cuff s bladder should be at least equal to 80 of the circumference of the upper arm.

A helpful tool in blood pressure monitoring is a home blood pressure monitor. An upper arm model and a wrist model the latter of which is addressed in this article. To begin place the cuff on your bare upper arm one inch above the bend of your elbow.