How to Take a Blood
Omron's digital blood pressure monitors make taking
your own measurements quick and easy. Just remember that
you need to follow a few simple suggestions to get the best
reading possible. Before a measurement, rest for five
minutes and do not smoke, eat or exercise for half an hour.
Sit in a chair in a quiet place and remove tight-fitting clothing
from your left upper arm. Try to take your readings at
the same time each day for consistency, and keep in mind that
your measurements may vary considerably throughout the day.
Follow These Simple Steps
cuff should be correctly assembled when it is removed from
the box. If not, pass the end of the cuff farthest
from the tubing through the metal D-ring to form a loop.
The smooth cloth should be on the inside of the cuff loop,
and the sewn-hook material should be on the outside.
The metal D-ring should not touch your skin.
your left arm through the cuff loop. The bottom edge
of the cuff should be approximately 1/2" above the
elbow. The cuff tab or green cuff marker (depending
on your monitor) should lie over the brachial artery on
the inside of your arm. Be sure the cuff tubing aligns
with the center of the forearm as shown.
on the end of the cuff to tighten it evenly around your
arm. Press the sewn hook material firmly against the
pile side of the cuff.
- Place your arm on a table with the cuff at the same height
as your heart. Relax your arm and turn your palm upward.
- Press the on/off button. Wait for the Ready to Measure
Symbol to appear before taking a measurement.
- If your monitor has an inflation bulb, quickly squeeze
it until the cuff inflates to approximately 30-40 mmHg above
your systolic pressure (if you don't know your systolic
pressure, inflate to 160-180 mmHg). If the monitor
displays and Error symbol, continue to increase the inflation
level by 30-40 mmHg increments. Stop pumping, remain still
and do not talk. The cuff begins to deflate automatically.
the Deflation Indicator symbol appears on the display, press
the inflation bulb's Air Release button to deflate the cuff
pressure completely. Your blood pressure and pulse
will display alternately.
- If your monitor does not have an inflation bulb, it has
an automatic inflation/deflation system. Just press
the Start button, remain still and do not talk. Your
blood pressure and pulse will alternately display.
- All wrist monitors feature an automatic inflation/deflation
system. Just wrap the cuff around your left wrist
and press the Start button.
- Remember to record your measurement for your doctor.
Daily Monitoring: An Important Part of Your
50 million Americans have hypertension according
to the American Heart Association. The disease kills more
than 37,000 people annually, and contributes to a raft of other
conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and circulatory disorders
that kill many times that number each year.
High blood pressure often goes undetected.
Because there are usually no symptoms, over one third of the
people with high blood pressure don't even know they have it.
In fact, only about 20% of all hypertensives receive adequate
therapy. This is especially disturbing because with proper
monitoring, high blood pressure is easily detected, and usually,
Prevention is the key. Only your doctor
can determine if you have hypertension. But you may be
able to reduce your risk of developing it, and you can help
to control it. Regular exercise, reducing the amount of
salt in your diet, and losing weight are key steps. It's
often a good idea to measure and record your own blood pressure
as well. Your doctor may find your daily blood pressure
records very helpful when evaluating your condition and/or treatment.
If your doctor has prescribed medicine for your high blood pressure,
it's extremely important to take it regularly.
For more information on High Blood Pressure, please
*From Omron Healthcare, Inc,