Correct steps to measure blood pressure

Accurate blood pressure measurement is essential for monitoring health and preventing cardiovascular disease. The following are standard steps for measuring blood pressure. Following these steps will ensure the accuracy and reliability of the measurement results.

Preparation before measurement is key. Patients should avoid strenuous exercise, smoking, drinking alcohol, or ingesting caffeine 30 minutes before measurement, keep their mood calm, and choose a quiet and comfortable environment for measurement. Empty your bladder and wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid binding that could affect the results.

Check the blood pressure monitor. For electronic sphygmomanometers, make sure the battery is sufficient and in normal working condition; if it is a mercury sphygmomanometer, check whether the mercury column has returned to zero.

Next is the placement of the sleeve. The cuff should be wrapped around 2-3 cm above the elbow joint of the arm being tested, and the cuff should be moderately tight so that 1-2 fingers can be inserted. Too tight or too loose will affect the accuracy of the measurement.

Then comes the blood pressure reading. When using an electronic blood pressure monitor, press the start button and wait for the value to stabilize before reading. When using a mercury sphygmomanometer, you need to listen to the brachial artery pulse with a stethoscope to determine systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

To improve accuracy, it is recommended to take multiple measurements and average them. If blood pressure is abnormal, seek medical attention promptly.