Proper Technique for Blood Pressure Measurement

From Craig Weber, M.D., former About.com Guide

Updated February 05, 2007

About.com Health’s Disease and Condition content is reviewed
by the Medical Review Board

Proper Technique Can Save Your Life

Correct blood pressure measurements are essential to
diagnosing and treating high blood pressure. Accordingly, a specific set of
techniques and procedures have been developed which describe the proper method
for obtaining the most accurate blood pressure readings possible. Because
research has shown that medical professionals often do not completely follow
these guidelines, it is important for the patient to be able to identify when
proper protocol is not being followed.

Wrap the blood pressure cuff around your patient’s upper
arm. Make sure it is fully deflated and placed slightly above the groove of his
elbow by centering the arrows on the cuff in that area. Now place the
sphygmomanometer next to the patient’s arm and near the cuff.

Put your stethoscope’s ear pieces into your ears and place
the diaphragm in the groove of your patient’s elbow. Make sure the valve of
your pressure bulb is closed then quickly inflate the blood pressure cuff to a
value that is 30mm/Hg above your patient’s last blood pressure value.

Slowly release the pressure bulb at a rate of 2 to 3mm/Hg
per second. Then listen for the first clear sound from your stethoscope. When
you hear it, note the value at which it occurred on your sphygmomanometer. This
is the systolic blood pressure value. The sound will slowly increase in
intensity. Wait for the sound to start decreasing in intensity and listen for
the last muffled sound. Note the value at which the last muffled sound
occurred. This is the diastolic blood pressure value.

Remove the cuff from your patient, assist him into a
comfortable position and write down your his blood pressure values.

Taking blood
pressure twice question

Hi, I know that you can’t take your BP twice on the same arm
very quickly. My question is, can I take it on my right arm, then a minute
later take it on my left arm? The veins wouldn’t be “overpumped”
getting a false reading in that case right? I ask b/c I find that doing this,
the first time gets rid of my cuff anxiety so my 2nd reading (in whichever arm
I do second) is always much lower. But I’m not getting a false low reading b/c
I just took it in the other arm am I? Does that make sense?

Thanks!/Linda

Read more: How to Use a Stethoscope & Blood-Pressure
Cuff | eHow.com