How to Use a Sphygmomanometer for Blood Pressure Measurement. Understanding how to operate Sphygmomanometers correctly is vital to monitor your blood pressure.
Sphygmomanometer sales fell due to the bird flu pandemic and the forced lockdowns for 2020. I’ve reviewed the best Sphygmomanometers suitable for home and clinical use.
Many people now use sphygmomanometers for their blood pressure tests, and there are more questions regarding their use.
We’ll look at it this morning. The process will be explained step-by-step, however.
The Sphygmomanometer will be the first thing we examine, its purposes and the best way to utilize it. We’ll also go over what the readings are referring to.
Let’s start if you’re ready.
What’s a Sphygmomanometer, and how can you make use of it?
A sphygmomanometer, a small instrument used to measure blood pressure, is called the Sphygmomanometer.
The Sphygmomanometer is made up of many parts. A cuff made of inflatable rubber wraps around the patient’s arm.
A measuring device is attached directly to the cuff. It displays the pressure of the cuff while it’s read.
The third part is a tiny, rubber-like bulb that inflates the cuff.
A valve that releases air allows air to escape the cuff.
The stethoscope also can detect arterial blood flow sounds after the cuff has been inserted into the subject.
How a Sphygmomanometer Takes Readings
Blood flows through your arteries when you beat your heart. Systolic pressure is the pressure that increases when blood flows through the heart.
The heart’s pressure decreases as it contracts, and the ventricles prepare for another beating. This low-pressure phase is known as diastolic pressure.
The Sphygmomanometer is a device that measures the difference in pressure between these two.
A cuff can be the initial step. The cuff is connected to the arms of the patient, and then air is pumped through it.
The user can open the valve so that the pressure in the cuff decreases gradually until it reaches the systolic arterial pressure.
This is when blood begins to flow over the cuff, causing a sound (known in the field of Korotkoff Sounds) that can be heard with the stethoscope.
The sounds are recorded while the pressure on the cuff is recorded. The air is released slowly through the valve.
The sound of blood flow ceases when the cuff’s pressure is below the arterial pressure. This is known as the diastolic point and is recorded.
Pressures for diastolic and systolic are measured as systolic pressure over diastolic (e.g., 120 against 80).
How to Use a Sphygmomanometer
It is now clear the functions of the Sphygmomanometer and the steps to use it.
Let’s examine them now.
Step 1
The cuff must be wrapped around the upper arm of the patient. The cuff’s lower edge should be one centimeter higher than the Fossa.
Use the bulb to increase the pressure in the cuff until the pressure is at or around 180mmHg.
Step 3
Make use of an escape valve to begin exhaling oxygen from the cuff.
Step 4
The stethoscope has been placed. You can listen to the blood flow beneath the cuff. Pay attention to the dial or gauge of mercury of the Sphygmomanometer as you do this.
Step 5
Get the readings from the dial or gauge. When you lower your pressure to the lowest setting, the initial squealing sound (Korotkoff) you listen to is that of the person’s Systolic Pressure.
The diastolic pressure is what determines the point at which sound ceases.
Step 6
Repeat the same procedure for the other arm (While taking note of the differences in the readings, note them down).
It’s good to note the patient’s posture and whether they’re reading their left or right arm. And how big does the arm cuff measure?
How to Use a Sphygmomanometer: Understand the Readings
Once you’ve completed your measurements using the Sphygmomanometer, now is the time to analyze the results you’ve obtained.
A standard test should read 120/80 (systolic/diastolic).
Prehypertension can be diagnosed when a patient has a systolic blood pressure reading between 120 and 140 for systolic or 80 to 89 for diastolic.
It can be seen because a Sphygmomanometer could be utilized at your home. It is a device for people with hypertension to track their blood pressure levels.
If your systolic blood pressure is between 140 and 150 and your diastolic blood pressure is between 90 and 99, you could have stage 1 hypertension.
A systolic over 160, along with diastolic levels above 100, indicate Hypertension Stage 2.
Stage 3 hypertension has greater than 180 systolic or 110 diastolic.
Don’t be concerned If you receive more severe results than expected. False readings can happen, and it is recommended to take at least one.
Give it time, apply the cuff again, and resume your routine. While you’re waiting, stay away from excessive exercise and caffeine.
If your situation doesn’t change, consider consulting your physician for additional information regarding your blood pressure and get advice on what you can do.
Read more: Are Nurses, First Responders? – Complete discussion