At present, there are many styles and styles of blood pressure monitors on the market, which are becoming increasingly convenient for users to measure blood pressure. The usage method is also becoming simpler, and some elderly people can operate them themselves. As for the traditional mercury sphygmomanometer, what is the principle behind it and how to use it correctly, perhaps fewer and fewer people know.
How to use a silver water blood pressure monitor
1. Reduce physiological changes during blood pressure measurement. Blood pressure should be measured in a quiet and warm room to ensure that the patient does not eat, smoke, drink coffee, or have a full bladder in a short period of time. Explain the method of measuring blood pressure to the patient to reduce their anxiety.
2. When the patient takes a sitting position, their back should rest on the back of the chair, their legs should not cross, and their feet should be flat. Regardless of whether the patient is in a sitting or supine position, the midpoint of the upper limb should be at the level of the heart, and rest for 5 minutes after positioning.
3. Try to use mercury sphygmomanometers as much as possible. If a liquid level sphygmomanometer is practical, check whether the pointer is in the 0 position at the beginning and end of blood pressure measurement to avoid small debris getting the pointer stuck in the 0 position. Also, calibrate the liquid level sphygmomanometer every 6 months; Place the middle of the mercury sphygmomanometer and the dial of the liquid level sphygmomanometer flat with the eyes.
4. The airbag of the cuff should be able to wrap around 80% of the upper arm and 100% of the child's upper arm, and the width should cover 40% of the upper arm.
5. The cuff should be comfortably attached to the patient's exposed upper elbow by one inch, with the airbag placed above the brachial artery. When inflated, the estimated systolic pressure can be obtained by touching the fluctuation of the brachial artery, and the pulsation will disappear when the systolic pressure is measured.
6. Place the stethoscope head on the artery at the lower edge of the cuff, rapidly inflate the cuff to the estimated blood pressure value of 2.67-4.00kPa based on pulse pressure, and then open the deflation valve to deflate the balloon at a rate of 0.267-0.400kPa per second.
7. Pay attention to the appearance of the first sound (korotkoff stage I), when the change of tone occurs (stage IV), and when the sound disappears. When hearing the korotkoff sound, deflate at a rate of 0.267kpa per pulse.
8. When hearing the last korotkoff sound, continue to slowly deflate to 1.33kpa to determine if there is a gap in auscultation, and then deflate at an appropriate speed.
Precautions
1. Due to the flow of blood, there may be some differences in blood pressure measured between the left and right hands; Usually, the blood pressure value of the left hand is slightly higher than that of the right hand, but a difference of 10-20mmHg is considered normal. However, when recording, the higher measurement data should be used as the standard. If there is a difference of more than 40-50 mmHg between the two hands, it may be due to vascular obstruction. It is best to consult a doctor to determine the cause.
2. Measuring blood pressure should not be counted only once, but should be done multiple times a day and recorded to understand changes in one's blood pressure over the course of the day.
3. It is best to measure blood pressure in a relaxed state at home, as some people may feel nervous when facing medical staff wearing white clothes during blood pressure measurement in a medical institution, leading to an increase in blood pressure. This is medically known as "white clothing hypertension", and measuring blood pressure at home can overcome this situation.
4. Traditional mercury sphygmomanometers are affected by thermal expansion and contraction, and should be calibrated and reset every six months on average.
Proper use of a blood pressure monitor can help doctors better interpret their own blood pressure situation, and also make it easier for us to closely observe changes in blood pressure at home, detect problems in a timely manner, and seek medical treatment and medication to achieve control. Family members can also be encouraged to learn how to use it correctly and promote how to control their blood pressure.
