Blood pressure checks are a common reason for doctor visits. Yet, for less than the cost of a single appointment, you may be able to purchase your own blood pressure monitor and check the reading yourself at home.

Doing so enables more frequent monitoring. And frequent is good because blood pressure readings tend to vary depending on many factors, including stress levels and time of day.

In addition, taking your reading in a doctor’s office can throw it off by much as 20 or 30 mm Hg, since the nervousness of being there can be enough to increase blood pressure.

Blood Pressure Devices
Blood pressure monitors can be purchased at pharmacies, medical supply stores and discount chain stores. The electronic digital kind is often easier to use than the familiar blood pressure cuff with bulb and stethoscope. However, electronic monitors often aren’t accurate and usually cost more. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to recommend a monitor for you. Keep in mind that if you have large upper arm, you’ll need a special large-size cuff to get a proper reading.

Step by Step
Each type of blood pressure monitor works differently, so be sure to read the instructions that come with yours. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to check the monitor for accuracy and to teach you how to use it. Many people can check their own blood pressure at home without difficulty, but some rely on assistance from a family member or friend.

To use the standard blood pressure cuff with bulb and stethoscope, follow these steps:

• Sit at a table with your arm comfortably extended at heart level. Find the pulse on the inside of your elbow by using the first two fingers of your other hand. The spot where you feel the pulse is the brachial artery, where you’ll be placing the stethoscope’s diaphragm or disc.
• Wrap the cuff snugly around your bare upper arm, so its edge is about one inch above the bend of your arm.
• Close the valve on the bulb, place the stethoscope’s ear pieces in your ears, and place the diaphragm over the spot where you felt the pulse, just below the cuff’s edge.
• Pump the bulb rapidly to inflate the cuff until the dial reading is about 200, or 20 to 30 points higher than your usual systolic (higher) blood pressure reading. Then, slowly unscrew the bulb valve to gradually release the air.
• As you do, closely watch the gauge and listen carefully. When you hear the first beat, note the number reading to record later; when the beating sound stops, note that second number.
• Let the air out of the cuff and remove it from your arm. Write the two numbers on your blood pressure record sheet, with the higher (systolic) number on the top and the lower (diastolic) number on the bottom — for example, 130/85. Include the date and time and any comments about circumstances that could influence your reading.

Fine-Tuning
Your reading is more likely to be accurate if you do the following:

• Don’t take readings within a half-hour after smoking, exercising or drinking caffeinated beverages.
• Relax in an upright sitting position for at least five minutes before checking your pressure.
• Take two or three readings at least two minutes apart, and average the results.
• Take readings at various times during the day.

A typical, normal blood pressure is 120/80. Ask your physician or nurse what your blood pressure goal should be. If you regularly get readings that are high, or higher than expected, contact your doctor.

Get immediate medical care if your blood pressure is much higher or lower than expected. Whenever you visit your doctor, take your blood pressure record with you.

By Polly Turner, a feature writer for Vitality. For an illustrated guide to taking your own blood pressure, visit devweb3.vip.ohiostate.edu.

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