I believe the word "Blood Pressure" doesn't sound strange to you. But, do you know how to check blood pressure at home and its implications? In this article, Memo Naija will show you;
It is measured at the brachial artery of either of the two arms (just above the elbow joint) where the pressure correlates with the pressure of blood leaving the heart.
Blood pressure is measured by sphygmomanometer (can be analog or digital) in millimeter of mercury (mmHg).
There are two readings: Systolic and Diastolic pressures. I.e Systolic pressure over Diastolic pressure
Blood pressure is usually taken by health care provider while you are relaxed and not stressed at all.
NOTE: To know your normal value of your blood pressure, your health care provider must have measured it two or more times to get your basic blood pressure value. So, your normal blood pressure value may differs from the standard value.
A increase in the value of blood pressure is what is generally known as Hypertension. While a decrease in the value is termed Hypotension.
People with conditions such as Diabetes mellitus, Kidney problem, Obesity, physically inactive, adults of 55years and above should be checking their blood pressures as often as possible if they are not on admission in a hospital.
Follow these steps
When doing that, you will see the systolic and diastolic pressures on its screen. Write it down.
- How to check blood pressure at home
- How to check blood pressure with digital sphygmomanometer
- Implications of measuring blood pressure
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood against the walls of blood vessel (the artery) that is pumped by the heart to supply other body systems.It is measured at the brachial artery of either of the two arms (just above the elbow joint) where the pressure correlates with the pressure of blood leaving the heart.
Blood pressure is measured by sphygmomanometer (can be analog or digital) in millimeter of mercury (mmHg).
There are two readings: Systolic and Diastolic pressures. I.e Systolic pressure over Diastolic pressure
Blood pressure is usually taken by health care provider while you are relaxed and not stressed at all.
Values of normal blood pressure
For adult of about 18 years and above, the normal value of blood pressure less or equal to 120/80 mmHg based on the average of two or more properly measured readings.NOTE: To know your normal value of your blood pressure, your health care provider must have measured it two or more times to get your basic blood pressure value. So, your normal blood pressure value may differs from the standard value.
Why is blood pressure measurement important?
The reason blood pressure measurement is important is to note any physiologic changes in your body which may denote/reveal any medical conditions.A increase in the value of blood pressure is what is generally known as Hypertension. While a decrease in the value is termed Hypotension.
Hypertension is defined as a blood pressure in which the systolic pressure is greater than 140mmHg and diastolic pressure is greater than 90mmHg based on average of two or more accurate measurements taken during contacts with a health care provider.Funny thing about hypertension, you won't know you have it until you check your blood pressure. That is why it is called silent killer.
People with conditions such as Diabetes mellitus, Kidney problem, Obesity, physically inactive, adults of 55years and above should be checking their blood pressures as often as possible if they are not on admission in a hospital.
How to check your blood pressure easily at home
To check your blood pressure at home, you need either a home healthcare provider to do it for you or buy a digital (automatic) sphygmomanometer (you can get it on jumia online store or any pharmaceutical store near you).How to use digital sphygmomanometer
Digital sphygmomanometer uses battery and some may be rechargeable. See a picture of what it looks like below. To use it, make sure the batteries and the machine is in good conditions by checking for air leakage in its curve.Follow these steps
- Make sure you are relaxed usually before you move out of bed to do stuffs.
- Sit down comfortably
- Wrap the curve on your left arm and make sure it is connected as shown below.
- Before taking the reading, make sure it is at the same level with your arm.
- Switch it on and wait for it to do the measurement
When doing that, you will see the systolic and diastolic pressures on its screen. Write it down.
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Does it correlate with your normal blood pressure readings? If not, consult your doctor or health care provider immediately. If you are doing it for the first time, do it for three times in three days and compare the readings.
Does it correlate with your normal blood pressure readings? If not, consult your doctor or health care provider immediately. If you are doing it for the first time, do it for three times in three days and compare the readings.
If you do not have digital sphygmomanometer at home?
If perhaps you don't have at home, there is something you can do but its not 100% sure to give you the exact reading.What you will do is measure your pulse rate.
NOTE: Pulse is inversely proportional to blood pressure. It means, when your pulse rate is high, your blood pressure will be low and vice versa.- For adult, the normal pulse rate is usually 60-80 beat/minutes.
- For instance, if you have a pulse rate of about 90-100+, you should know something is wrong. And when its unusually low, something is wrong also.
- To check your pulse rate, place two of your fingers on your radial artery, as shown in the diagram below, and count for 60 seconds.
You just learnt how to check blood pressure easily at home with the aid of automatic/digital sphygmomanometer. Whenever you find an unusual readings, talk to your doctor or health care provider about it.Do not take your health issues lightly. Takes them as serious as you take money issues.
Know more....Stay healthy.... Stay fit
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