Blood pressure (BP), either high or low, is a serious disease that can cause many other health risks if left untreated. This is why it is crucial for patients to keep an eagle’s eye on their readings to be safe. For this, a blood pressure measuring device, the sphygmomanometer, is a must-have but do you know how to measure blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer?
Well, BP represents the force of the blood against the artery walls. BP is measured in 2 numbers: systolic pressure (the force when the heart pumps) and diastolic pressure (the force when the heart does not beat and the pressure when the heart relaxes in between pumps). Firstly we take the systolic pressure (on the upper side) and the diastolic pressure 2nd (downward). With this concept on hand, let’s learn more about it.
How To Measure Blood Pressure With A Sphygmomanometer: An Ultimate Guide
Measuring blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer is a serious business, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun while doing it! First, wrap the cuff around your arm and pump it up to squeeze your blood vessels. Then, place the stethoscope on the inside of your elbow and listen for the first sound.
This is when your systolic pressure is measured. As you slowly release the air from the cuff, listen for the sound to disappear. This is your diastolic pressure being measured. Write down both numbers and voila! You’ve got your blood pressure reading! Just don’t forget to laugh at yourself if you hear a sound that resembles the theme song from “The Love Boat.” It’s all good fun!
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to measure blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer.
Step 1: Wrap The Cuff Around Your Arm
Position the cuff around your upper arm, about an inch above the bend of your elbow. The bottom of the cuff should be level with your heart.
Step 2: Inflate The Cuff
Use the pump to inflate the cuff until it’s snug but not too tight.
Step 3: Place The Stethoscope On Your Inner Elbow
Softly place the stethoscope’s bell just under the belt’s edge over the arteria brachialis. Cause some healthcare professionals struggle with using the bell in the antecubital fossa, we recommend monitoring the BP with the bell or the midriff.
Step 4: Deflate The Cuff Slowly
Slowly release the air from the cuff using the valve. Discharge air from the belt at a slow (3mm/sec) rate.
Step 5: Listen for the first sound
As the pressure in the cuff decreases, you’ll hear a pulsing sound through the stethoscope. This is your systolic blood pressure.
Step 6: Record the reading
When the sound disappears, the reading on the manometer is your diastolic blood pressure. Write down both numbers, with the systolic pressure being the higher number and the diastolic pressure being the lower number.
Step 7: Repeat the process
It is recommended to take at least two to three readings at different times of the day to get an accurate average of your blood pressure.
Remember to always relax and stay calm during the measurement, as stress and anxiety can elevate your blood pressure.
What Exactly Is A BP Sphygmomanometer?
As it would be tough for you to understand how to use this appratus without understanding the pats it is made of and the function these parts perform, a quick overview can be insightful for you.
A Brief Overview:
A sphygmomanometer is a BP monitoring gadget. It consists of an inflatable Rubber-Cuff that covers the arm, a monitoring gadget that indicates the force of the cuff, a bulb that fills the cuff, and a faucet that releases the force. A stethoscope’s purpose is to hear the audio of the blood flow in your arteries (the veins that carry blood from your heart to your whole body) which then defines the blood pressure.
As the heart palpitates, blood is pushed through these arteries causing a rise in oppression, known as systolic force, followed by a decrease in force as the ventricles of the heart prepare for another palpitation. This low pressure is also known as diastolic force. The sphygmomanometer belt is enlarged to significantly larger than the expected systolic force. Cuff pressure (slowly) reduces as the valve is opened. When the cuff’s pressure equals the systolic arterial pressure, blood starts flowing past the cuff, causing turbulence in the blood flow and audible sounds. This audio has been listened to with a stethoscope, and the cuff’s force is recorded. The blood flow audio will continue unless the force in the cuff is lower than the arterial diastolic force.
When the blood flow’s audio stops, the force indicates diastolic force. Systolic ‘over’ diastolic forces are usually used to describe systolic and diastolic forces, for instance, 120 over 80. The sound that you hear is called Korotkoff sounds in the medical language and these are your tools to understand your BP. Well, if it is a lot to digest and understand, you can only remember the reading where you start hearing the sound and where you stop listening to any more sounds. Period!
Different Types of Sphygmomanometers:
However, it also depends on the type of Sphygmomanometer that you are using. In general, there are three classified types Digital, Mercury, and Aneroid. Digital sphygmomanometers are computerized devices that provide BP readings without requiring anyone to continue operating the cuff or hear the blood flow audio.
Digital types, on the other hand, are easy to use and understand but are considered comparatively less accurate. Some healthcare professionals use digital sphygmomanometers for screening but majorly, manual sphygmomanometers are used to justify blood pressure readings globally. On a lighter note, a gap of ±20 is expected while using a digital device however, it also depends on the quality of the digital sphygmomanometer used.
On the other hand, Mercury (column) and Aneroid (dial) gadgets are used in manual sphygmomanometers. The operation of aneroid and mercury sphygmomanometers is virtually identical, with the exception that aneroid gadgets (also known as manual blood pressure monitors, which are devices that are commonly used to measure blood pressure) require periodic calibration which is the process of adjusting the gauge to ensure that it is displaying accurate readings.
Tips To Monitor Your Blood Pressure
Well, when having blood pressure issues, either high or low, checking blood pressure is not a one-time job. This is why you should be fully equipped when checking your blood pressure every time. For this, you will need a Sphygmo-manometer, Blood pressure cuffs of your size, a Stethoscope, your observation chart, and an alcohol wipe. And a pen of course!
Along with that, to make sure you are taking the right readings and you are monitoring your blood pressure accurately, the following are the precautions to consider:
- Digital manometers and aneroids may need calibration regularly.
- On fleshy or obese subjects, use a larger cuff.
- For pediatric patients, a smaller cuff should be used.
- Lower blood pressure in pediatric patients may indicate the presence of hypertension.
- Do not wear the cuff over your clothing.
- The patient’s arm should be curved and supported.
Also, note that as the systolic force is minimized, the Korotkoff sounds fade away in some patients and remerge after a small pause. It is known as the “auscultatory gap.” If the cuff force is not sufficiently elevated, this physiopathology incidence can result in a noteworthy underestimation of systolic force. As a result, sudden filling of the BP cuff to 180 mmHg can be endorsed.
Summary
So, you might have got the answer to ‘how to measure blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer.’ The answer can be concluded by saying that measuring blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer is easy but needs learning the process. It involves inflating the cuff to temporarily restrict blood flow, listening for the first and last pulse sounds through a stethoscope, and reading the corresponding pressure level on the manometer. Also, along with checking blood pressure, regular monitoring of blood pressure is vital for detecting and managing hypertension. This is why it is advisable to follow the proper technique and seek medical assistance if in any doubt.
