Blood Pressure Readings

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Within your body, the beats of your heart create a pulsating force that keeps blood moving through your circulatory system. Blood pressure is measurement of this force.
   With each beat, your heart contracts, sending a surge of pressure into the bloodstream. This surge period is called systolic (sis-TAHL-ik). It is the first number in a blood pressure reading. After the surge period, your heart rests briefly and expands in preparation for another beat. This expansion period is called diastolic (di-uh-STAHL-ik). It provides the second number in a blood pressure reading. Thus, a blood pressure reading of "120 over 80" means you have a systolic pressure of 120 and a diastolic pressure of 80.
   Doctors generally agree that systolic readings of 120 to 140 and diastolic readings of 70 to 90 are normal. Slightly higher readings---140 to 159 and 90 to 94---are considered mild high blood pressure (mild hypertension). Readings from 160 to 179 and 94 to 114 signal moderate hypertension. Anything above these limits is considered a serious problem.
   Although high blood pressure rarely causes any symptoms, it can do hidden damage to your arteries, eventually leading to stroke, heart attack, heart disease, or kidney disease. Low blood pressure, on the other hand, can cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first stand up.
   Blood pressure varies with the time of day and the amount of stress you're experiencing. To determine your average or typical blood pressure, your doctor may therefore ask you to take readings at various times during the day. You can do this with a standard blood pressure kit or monitor, available at most drug and medical supply stores.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

How To Take Your Own Blood Pressure with a Digital Monitor

• Each blood pressure monitor works differently, so read the directions before using yours the first time. You should be rested and relaxed. Sit up or lie down with your arm stretched out level with your heart. Wrap the cuff firmly around your arm about 1 inch above the elbow. The blood pressure reading may not be correct if the cuff is too loose. Turn on the monitor.
• Tighten the screw on the bulb and pump the bulb rapidly. Keep squeezing the bulb until the numbers on the digital scale reach about 200.
• Write down the readings, the date, the time, and which arm you used. Let the air out of the cuff by opening the screw on the bulb. Turn off the monitor and take off the cuff.

How to Take Someone Else's Blood Pressure

• Get the readings when the person is rested and relaxed. Do not take them right after exercise or during a period of stress. Ask the person to sit or lie down for about 2 minutes with an arm stretched out level with the heart. Push up the sleeve and wrap the blood pressure cuff firmly around the upper arm about 1 inch above the elbow. The blood pressure reading may not be correct if the cuff is too loose.
• Hang the stethoscope around your neck. Using your middle and index fingers, find the brachial (BRA-kee-ull) artery pulse in the bend of the elbow. You should be able to feel the pulse beating. Keeping your fingers on the brachial pulse, tighten the screw on the bulb attached to the blood pressure cuff.
• Pump the bulb rapidly to tighten the cuff. Keep squeezing the bulb until you no longer feel the brachial pulse. Take note of the number on the blood pressure gauge at that moment, then continue pumping the bulb until the gauge reads 20 to 30 points higher. Put the tips of the stethoscope into your ears and place the diaphragm (disk part) of the stethoscope over the brachial pulse.
• Slowly begin to loosen the bulb's screw to allow air to escape from the cuff. While you continue to watch the blood pressure gauge, listen for the sound of a heartbeat. As soon as you hear it, write down the number on the gauge. This is the systolic blood pressure reading. Slowly loosen the screw on the bulb until the beating sound stops, and take a second reading from the gauge. This number is the diastolic blood pressure reading.
• Loosen the screw on the bulb to let out the remaining air in the cuff, then take the cuff off. Make a record of the readings and the month, day, time, and arm that you used. Note whether the person was sitting or lying down. You may want to take the blood pressure on both arms the first time. For later readings, use the arm that registered the highest numbers.
• Do not take a blood pressure on an injured arm or an arm with an IV or a shunt. A woman who has had a breast removed should have her BP taken on the opposite arm.

Call Your Doctor If...

• The readings are higher than the doctor expected.
• You feel dizzy.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• The readings are a great deal higher or lower than expected.
• You develop chest pain, breathing difficulties, or a severe headache

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