• Checking Your Blood Pressure

    Data:
    11 January 2011
    Author:
    michelle
    Comments:
    no comments
    Categories:
    Health

    The job of the heart is to pump blood throughout the entire body. As the heart beats, it creates a force. The force the heart creates as it pushes blood against the walls of the blood vessels is known as blood pressure. Blood pressure is recorded with two numbers. The top number, or systolic number, is the amount of pressure forced against the arteries when blood is pumped out of the heart. The bottom number, or diastolic number, is the pressure pushed against the arteries when the heart muscle relaxes. A normal blood pressure is lower than 120/80.

    Step 1

    Position the blood pressure cuff around your arm. Wrap the cuff slightly above your elbow.

    Step 2

    Place the ear pieces of the stethoscope in your ears. Position the stethoscope’s diaphragm — the bottom round portion of the stethoscope — at your forearm’s crease.

    Step 3

    Pump the blood pressure cuff so that it is inflated to 160. Inflate the cuff using the metal attachment located on the side of your blood pressure cuff. Inflate and deflate the pressure of the cuff as necessary- so that you are at 160 on the cuff- using the metal attachment.

    Step 4

    Listen to your blood pressure. Squeeze the bulb on the blood pressure cuff repeatedly until you have pumped 30 points. Loosen the valve on your blood pressure cuff . Listen carefully to the sounds your stethoscope is making. When you hear a beat, write this number down. This number is the top number or systolic number when it comes to your blood pressure.

    Step 5

    Release more air from the valve on your blood pressure cuff. When you no longer hear beating, read the number and record it. This number is the diastolic or bottom number of your blood pressure reading.

    Tips
    • It is easier to take your blood pressure while sitting down. You should push your sleeve up and lay your arm flat on a table with the palm side of your hand facing upwards.
    Warnings
    • Taking your own blood pressure reading it not a substitute for regular visits with your physician. Talk to your doctor to find out what your goal range should be, according to Ohio State University Medical Center. If you take your blood pressure and the reading is higher than 180 for systolic and 110 diastolic, contact your doctor’s office immediately. According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.

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