Manual BP Monitor
Manual Blood Pressure Monitor
A Manual blood pressure monitor usually comprises of an inflatable arm cuff, a manual gauge and a rubber bulb for pumping up the cuff. It also needs a stethoscope to count heart rate as well. It is positioned on the upper arm to be about the same height as the heart. After that, the bulb is pumped in order to blow up the cuff speedily and cut off circulation to the arm. The pressure then gradually discharges and you listen to the artery with the help of a stethoscope for a noise, which is in fact the blood starting to pump again in your arm. At the same moment, the systolic pressure is read on the dial. As the cuff continues to go down and the noise disappears, the diastolic pressure is interpreted on the dial.
How to use a manual BP Monitor
1. Prepare the patient: Ensure the patient is relaxed and comfortable by allowing 5 minutes to relax before the first reading. The patient should sit erect with their upper arm positioned so it is level with their heart and feet flat on the floor. Eradicate excess clothing that might hinder with the BP cuff or constrict blood flow in the arm. Be sure you and the patient avoids from talking during the reading.
2. Choose a proper BP cuff size: Most measurement inaccuracy occurs by not taking the time to select an appropriate cuff size. Drape the cuff around the patient’s arm and use the INDEX line to conclude if the patient’s arm perimeter falls within the RANGE area. Otherwise, pick a suitable smaller or larger cuff.
3. Place the BP cuff on the patient’s arm: Palpate the brachial artery and spot the BP cuff so that the ARTERY marker points to the brachial artery. Enfold the BP cuff cozily around the arm.
4. Position the stethoscope: On the similar arm that you placed the BP cuff, palpate the arm at the crease of the arm to locate the strongest pulse sounds and place the bell of the stethoscope over the brachial artery at this location.
5. Inflate the BP cuff: Begin pumping the cuff bulb as you listen to the pulse sounds. When the BP cuff has inflated sufficient to stop blood flow you should listen to no sounds through the stethoscope. The gauge must interpret 30 to 40 mmHg above the person’s standard BP reading. If this value is unidentified you can inflate the cuff to 160 – 180 mmHg.
6. Slowly Deflate the BP cuff: Start deflation of the cuff. It is recommends that the pressure must fall at 2 – 3 mmHg per second; something faster might probable result in an incorrect measurement.
7. Listen for the Systolic Reading: The first occurrence of rhythmic sounds heard as blood begins to flow through the artery is the patient’s systolic pressure. This may be similar to a tapping noise at first.
8. Listen for the Diastolic Reading: Continue to listen as the BP cuff pressure drops and the sounds becoming paler. Make a note of the gauge reading when the rhythmic sound ends. This will be the diastolic reading.
9. Double Check for Accuracy: To check the pressure again for precision wait about five minutes between readings. On average, blood pressure is higher in the mornings and lower in the evenings. If the BP reading is a masked or white coat hypertension is alleged, a 24 hour blood pressure study may be requisite to assess the patient’s overall blood pressure report.
Some Manual BP Monitors available in the market:
1. Omron Manual Inflation BP Monitor (HEM-4030): The OMRON BP Monitor is a compact manual inflation blood pressure monitor, operating on the oscillometric standard. It measures blood pressure and pulse rate simply and very quickly.
2. Diamond BP Apparatus Dial Type B.P with Built in Stethoscope: It serves your twin purpose of dial type BP equipment along with a built in stethoscope. This sensibly priced mercury free manual BP monitor is a must buy for anyone with a BP history in the family.
3. Morepen Desk Mercury Sphygmomanometer: This is a mercury free, environment-friendly mechanism which helps to keep a check on your blood pressure level. Sphygmomanometer is known to be highly accurate and perfect and has a simple structure.
Conclusion:
Manual blood pressure monitor is the simplest way to take blood pressure readings at home. One of the main benefits of a manual monitor is their cost. In terms of taking action based on your blood pressure readings, this must always be discussed and decided on between you and your physician. You should never self-diagnose or regulate your medication if not prescribed by your doctor.
