A Patient Guide on How to Check Your Blood Pressure

This booklet was created by the Department of Health. Table of Contents

Getting Ready 5 How to check your Blood Pressure 7 Putting the arm cuff on 9 Taking Your Blood Pressure 11 What the Numbers Mean 13

3 4 Getting Ready Use only “AAA” alkaline batteries with this device.

1. 1. Press the ▲ indicator on the 3. 3. Put the battery battery cover and slide the cover cover back on. off in the direction of the arrow.

2. Install 4 “AAA” size batteries 2. into the battery slot as indicated.

Air Plug Push the air plug into the main unit

5 6 How to check your blood pressure Follow these steps to take a correct blood pressure.

To assure an accurate reading It is important to use the • Do not drink coffee for at least 30 correct blood pressure cuff minutes before taking your blood size that fits your arm. pressure reading; Measure your upper arm • Do not smoke or use tobacco for at halfway between your elbow least 30 minutes before taking your and your shoulder. blood pressure; Use a cloth measuring tape. • Do not exercise or eat a large meal two hours before taking your blood pressure; • Less than 9 inches you should use a and Small cuff; • Use the rest room, a full bladder can • 9-13 inches you should use a affect the blood pressure reading. Standard cuff; and

• More than 13 inches you should use a Large cuff.

7 8 Putting the arm cuff on your Putting the arm cuff on your Left Arm Right Arm

1. Remove tight-fitting clothing from your upper arm. If 1. Remove tight-fitting clothing from your upper arm. If possible, your arm should be bare. possible, your arm should be bare.

2. Place the cuff onto your left upper arm. The arrow should 2. Put the cuff onto your right upper arm. The arrow and the be centered on the inside of your arm and lined up with your air tube should run along the inside of your arm. The bottom middle finger. The air tube runs down the inside of your arm. of the cuff should be about 1/2” above your elbow. The bottom of the cuff should be about 1/2” above your elbow.

Left Arm. Right Arm 1/2 inch (1 - 2 cm)

3. Wrap the cuff in place around your upper arm making sure it is not loose.

9 10 Taking your blood pressure 5. The cuff stops pumping up on its own and the measurement is started. As the cuff deflates, decreasing Once you have the correct size cuff placed on numbers appear on the display and the Heartbeat Symbol ( ) your bare upper arm: flashes.

1. Sit quietly for five minutes on a chair with your feet flat on the floor, and do not cross your legs. 2. Your back should be against the back of the chair. 3. Place your arm on a table so the cuff is even with your heart 6. When the blood pressure reading is done, the arm cuff completely deflates. Your blood pressure and how fast your heart beats is displayed. Write down the blood pressure reading on the log at the back of this book.

Blood pressure changes during the day, so it is best 4. After five minutes of sitting quietly Press the START/STOP to take your readings at the same time every day. button. At first only symbols (not numbers) will appear on the display. The cuff starts to pump-up on its own.

Remain still and do not move your arm until the blood pressure reading is done. 7. If you decide to take a second blood pressure reading at this time wait two minutes and repeat the steps above. 8. Bring the blood pressure log and your blood pressure machine with you to your next doctor’s visit.

11 12 What the numbers mean Blood Pressure Measurement Chart Blood pressure is written as two numbers:

Date and Time Reading One Reading Two Comments / / The top number measures the pressure in 117 the heart when the heart beats. / /

The bottom number measures the pressure / / 76 in the heart when it is relaxed. / /

/ / Normal Less than 120 Less than 80 Great! this is a normal blood pressure / /

Prehypertension Between 120-139 Between 80-89 Approaching high / / blood pressure. Discuss things you can change / / with your doctor to lower your blood / / pressure / / High Blood Pressure Between 140-159 Between 90-99 Your blood pressure Stage 1 is high you should see / / your doctor / / High Blood Pressure 160 or higher 100 or higher Your blood pressure is Stage 2 very high you should / / call your doctor right away / /

/ /

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