How correctly to measure pressure by a tonometer?

Many people who have problems with pressure are interested in the question - how correctly to measure blood pressure with a tonometer? Consider in detail how this can be done at home, so you do not have to go to the doctor every time. Timely detection of abnormalities in the parameters of the tonometer will allow you to protect yourself from complications of hypertension, especially from such serious ones as heart attack and stroke.

General conditions

The tonometer is a special device designed to measure blood pressure. The device includes a cuff, an air supply device and a manometer. The mechanical tonometer is equipped with a stethoscope, thanks to which there is a pulsation of air, an automatic electronic device is provided for this purpose by an automatic tonometer.

Of course, it's easiest to measure pressure using modern automatic or semi-automatic devices. However, the mechanical device is still very popular, despite the fact that it is a little more difficult to use.

How correctly to measure arterial pressure by a tonometer independently?

To get the most accurate result, you must adhere to some simple conditions:

• you should not interfere with the measurement of pressure;
• for more accurate results you need an hour before measuring the pressure to give up cigarettes, coffee and alcohol;
• in advance go to the toilet, because with a filled bladder, the readings will be incorrect;
• measurement should take place at room temperature, in the most comfortable conditions;
• measurement should be carried out in a sitting position, it is desirable that the back rest on the back of a chair or other place that promotes a comfortable sitting position;
• the arm should be placed on the table in a relaxed state, or elsewhere, at the chest level;
• during the pressure measurement procedure is not allowed to talk, move, even tapping with a foot or with a free hand can distort the tonometer readings;
• it is desirable to make two pressure measurements at once, having stood between the procedures for a five-minute pause to make sure the accuracy of the result.

If you measure pressure for the first time, doctors advise to measure pressure immediately on both hands, then to measure pressure on the hand, the indicators at which were higher. If the difference is no more than 10 units, then in the future it is recommended to perform measurements on the left hand.

Also, physicians recommend keeping a diary of measurements, in which to indicate the results of measurements with the date and time, in order to later be able to analyze the data. This will help the doctor make a more accurate diagnosis and prescribe an effective treatment.

Measurement by manual( mechanical) device

The mechanical device is not so convenient and easy to use as automatic, but it is more accurate when observing the technology. Consider how to correctly measure blood pressure with a mechanical tonometer.

So, after the preparation for the procedure, you can start measuring the pressure:

• put the cuff on your arm, at the level of the heart, slightly above the elbow joint;
• stethoscope must be applied to a pulsating place in the center of the elbow fold, or under the cuff;
• relax your arm;
• put on a stethoscope;
• with the help of a pear pump the air into the cuff. If you assume that the pressure is very high, pump up air to readings of 220 mm Hg or higher;
• start very slowly to release air in the cuff, using a special valve and listen carefully to the shocks;
• at the first impact it is necessary to remember the readings of the tonometer, this number means systolic pressure;
• value at the last stroke, after which you no longer hear any pulsation, will mean diastolic pressure.

Perform the measurement two, or even three times. The most accurate result is the average value.

Automatic device

Currently, pharmacies are represented by about thirty models of automatic instruments. The measurement process is very simple, for a person everything will be done by the technician. In this case, some nuances still exist.

Electronic devices are automatic and semi-automatic. The difference is that in automatic models, air is pumped into the cuff in automatic mode, when the button is pressed. Electronic devices are also good because they can store in the memory the results of at least the last ten measurements, and also determine the pulse and can determine the arrhythmia. There are also devices that measure the pressure on the wrist.

Consider how to correctly measure blood pressure with an electronic tonometer:

• before the procedure, rest at least for five minutes, and relax;
• do not get distracted either by watching TV, not talking, or listening to the radio;
• observe the operating instructions for the device as described in the instructions supplied with the device;
• do not place the device near sources of electromagnetic learning;
• fix the cuff on the arm and put it at the heart level;
• if the device is semi-automatic, inflate air in the cuff with a pear-shaped pump;
• release air slowly and record the results displayed on the display;
• if the device is automatic, just press the button to start measuring the pressure;
• the device pumps its own air, it will lower it and give out the testimony;
• perform the procedure 2-3 times to obtain more accurate results.

Many people are interested in the need to make several measurements. The fact is that at the first measurement because of the squeezing of the arm with the cuff, the tone of the vessels rises, and the indices are higher than in reality.

Now let's see how to correctly measure blood pressure with an auto-tonometer of the wrist type.

It should be noted that carpal type devices are not recommended for use by people who have vessels in very poor condition, which is observed with sclerosis of vessels of the third degree and diabetes. The recommendations for measuring the following:

• hand should be relaxed, the watch must be removed;
• check that the position of the body of the tonometer relative to the wrist is correct and corresponds to the description in the manual;
• put the cuff on the left wrist;
• place your hand so that the device is at the heart level;
• press the button to start measuring pressure;The
• tonometer will make a measurement and display the result.

Which is better?

It is very convenient to use an automatic or semi-automatic device. For home use, you can buy a semi-automatic tonometer, with a cuff that is worn over the shoulder, because the wrist devices have a large enough error, and fully automatic models are of high cost.

Also, one should not forget that with age, the pulse in a person becomes weaker, that is why in older people electronic devices give a big error.

At the same time, mechanical devices remain the most accurate and reliable. In addition, they are cheaper, it is difficult to break it, and the battery will not sit down at the wrong time.

Reviews of the tonometers

Review No.1

Recently my daughter gave me a semi-automatic tonometer. I was immediately very confused, because I did not imagine how to correctly measure blood pressure with an electronic tonometer. After my daughter helped me figure it out, it turned out that it was very simple.

The hearing at me has a little decreased, therefore at measurement by the manual device, it was necessary to measure on some times to hear weak impacts. Now it's very simple - the numbers are immediately displayed on the screen, and I know what dosage of the drug should be taken.

Valentina Sergeevna, 69 years

Review No. 2

I bought myself an automatic device, because I could not understand how to properly measure blood pressure with a mechanical tonometer, which was with my wife. I like that the device performs all the operations on its own, I do not need to do anything. But I still learned how to use the handheld device, and now I sometimes measure the pressure with its help for monitoring.

Viktor Sergeevich, 60 years old