Taking Blood Pressure

**piepiezzz** · 06-16-2006, 12:29 PM

I had some one else do it here at work.....but I am going to take the BP monitor home and was wondering if anyone could give me detailed instructions. I am first Aid and CPR cerified, but just need a review. I believe you wrap around your bicep, put the stethiscope on the inset of your elbow (inside part). Crank the wrap up and slowly release valve....

You would take the first thump you hear and the last thump you hear, correct????

Please confirm or correct my process.

**LatinoPR** · 06-16-2006, 12:34 PM

Yes,you are wright,just release slowly.....! The base of a normal B/P is 120/80.

**lzicc** · 06-16-2006, 12:52 PM

That's how I do it. The cuff has to also face a certain way to where the arrow points to the middle of your arm.

**tonytone** · 06-16-2006, 01:02 PM

remember
position cuff about 2 cm above the elbow
make sure the arm you are taking it from is resting on the table

**piepiezzz** · 06-16-2006, 01:09 PM

135-90????

**tonytone** · 06-16-2006, 01:13 PM

hypertension is defined as regular BP readings of 140/90..so you're practically there..not to worry though, i would take it a few more times periodically throughout the day....are you currently on any aas?

**piepiezzz** · 06-16-2006, 01:18 PM

yes, Tren 50mg and Prop 80mg ED......ANd I am rashing everyday around 3 PM til 6PM??

**Maldorf** · 06-16-2006, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by piepiezzz

I had some one else do it here at work.....but I am going to take the BP monitor home and was wondering if anyone could give me detailed instructions. I am first Aid and CPR cerified, but just need a review. I believe you wrap around your bicep, put the stethiscope on the inset of your elbow (inside part). Crank the wrap up and slowly release valve....

You would take the first thump you hear and the last thump you hear, correct????

Please confirm or correct my process.

Yeah. The first thump you hear will be fairly loud, that is the blood now getting through the cuff because its pressure is higher than the cuff. This is the systolic pressure and its the pressure in your artery right after the heart pumps. The second sound you listen for is actually the lack of sound! The thumping caused by your heart will gradually get softer and softer as you make the pressure of the cuff lower. Finally the pressure in the cuff will be so low that it doesnt block any of the flow of blood and this is your lower number called diastolic. Diastolic pressure is the pressure in the artery while the heart is relaxed, in between beats.

**LatinoPR** · 06-16-2006, 10:08 PM

[quote=tonytone]hypertension is defined as regular BP readings of 140/90..so you're practically there..not to worry though, i would take it a few more times periodically throughout the day....are you currently on any aas?[/quo

No...is 120/80 .

**almostgone** · 06-17-2006, 12:48 AM

[QUOTE=LatinoPR]

Originally Posted by tonytone

hypertension is defined as regular BP readings of 140/90..so you're practically there..not to worry though, i would take it a few more times periodically throughout the day....are you currently on any aas?[/quo

No...is 120/80 .

..That's correct, LPR..the new standard is 120/80..Anything between 120/80 and 140/90 is defined as pre-hypertensive....

..also, be aware that you have the correct size cuff for your arm, piepiezzz...A medium cuff on a large arm will consistently give you readings higher than your actual BP....Some cuffs have an index mark on the that indicates the size range of the cuff......
..and the preferred method of taking your BP is using the left arm...Occasionally, it doesn't hurt to check it using both arms...a drastic difference between the two is something your doctor needs to know..

AG