How to Read a Sphygmomanometer
What is a Sphygmomanometer?
A sphygmomanometer is a medical device that measures blood pressure. You have probably seen it at doctor checkups when they check your blood pressure. Reading a sphygmomanometer is relatively easy; the only thing you need to know is the abbreviations on the monitor and how to get accurate readings!
Abbreviations:
SYS: Systolic Pressure - Pressure in your arteries when you heart beats
DIA: Diastolic Pressure - Pressure when your hearts rests between beats
PUL: Pulse - The number of heartbeats per minute
Preparations for an Accurate Readings:
Sit, have your feet flat on the floor, back supported and arm relaxed
Do not have any sort of caffeine, tobacco, or exercise 30 minutes before measuring
Wrap the cuff just above the elbow on your upper arm (no sleeves)
Inflate the cuff until your blood flow stops, then slowly release the pressure: The first pulse is the systolic reading
Release the pressure until the sound disappears: This indicates the diastolic reading
How to Interpret the Readings?
The first number is the systolic pressure and the second number is the diastolic pressure
So, if I had a blood pressure of 135/90 mmHg, 135 is systolic pressure and 90 is diastolic pressure
Blood Pressure Chart:
Normal:
SYS - <120, DIA - <80
Elevated:
SYS - 121-129, DIA - <80
Stage 1 Hypertension (High Blood Pressure):
SYS - 130-139, DIA - 80-89
Stage 2 Hypertension (High Blood Pressure):
SYS - 140≥ , DIA - 90≥
Severe Hypertension (Dangerous):
SYS - 180≥ , DIA - 120≥
Hypertensive Emergency (Dangerous):
SYS - 180≥ , DIA - 120≥
If your reading is at severe hypertension or hypertensive emergency levels and you are suffering from these symptoms below, call your medical professional or seek medical attention
Symptoms at these levels: Chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, change in vision, difficulty speaking
Why monitor and what to do with these numbers?
Blood pressure monitoring determines if treatments are working, or confirm diagnosis of high blood pressure
However, you should still seek a medical professional, at home monitoring isn’t conclusive enough
Track and keep a log of your readings (Time, Arm used, any external factors, pulse, etc.)
