THE RIGHT WAY TO TIE A CUFF:

The left arm is always preferred for accurate BP measurements. Slide your left arm into the circled portion of the cuff.. Place the cuff on the upper side of the arm leaving the tube down towards inner side of the arm in-line with the little finger.Wrap the cuff around your arm and tighten the free end of the cuff securing it with Velcro. The cuff must be tied 1-2 cms above the elbow, not too tight or too loose and just able to place one or two fingers between the cuff & arm.


SOME DO'S AND DONT'S:

Please rest assured and relax for at least 10 minutes, avoid eating, drinking, smoking, exercising or bathing for half an hour before taking measurements. All the above factors influence the results. Blood pressure is constantly fluctuating. At different times of the day, the measured blood pressure values will also vary. In order to obtain more accurate results, it is advisable to take measurements regularly at the same time every day; it is advisable to measure after getting up in the morning.


PREFERRED MEASUREMENT POSITION:

It is advisable to use a sitting position for measurement, to keep the body straight and keep the back straight, the legs are flat and should not be crossed. Put your arm on the table, arms extend naturally and palms are flat on the table. The cuff must be kept at the same level as the heart. Please be careful not to bend the tube. Then measure in a relaxed state. Press the power/start-stop button to measure. Please do not move and speak during the measurement.


WHY IS MY BP READING DIFFERENT AT HOME & DOCTOR'S CLINIC ?

We many times observe that a difference in reading is seen when readings at doctor's clinic & at home are compared.  This is normal & can occur for many reasons. Some of the more common reasons are:

1. A person’s blood pressure varies throughout the day, so at any given moment your blood pressure can change.
2. In terms of the amount of change; there are published studies that show a given person’s blood pressure can change by up to 20 mm within a day, based on activity levels, food/drink intake, stress, etc.
3. You may have a condition known as “White Coat Hypertension” This is a condition in which a blood person’s blood pressure rises above its usual level when it is measured in a doctor’s office or clinical setting.
4. You may have a condition known as “Masked Hypertension” This is a situation in which a person’s blood pressure falls below its usual level when it measure in a doctor’s office or clinical setting.

So do not be alarmed when you see differences between your readings at home compared to your readings in your doctor’s office. Discuss it with your doctor to get the best overall picture of your heart health.

 


NOTE:

It is advisable to measure at least three times and obtain an average reading closer to the physical conditions. With repeated measurements, blood accumulates in the vessels, which can lead to incorrect readings. Users should wait 1 minute for the second measurement


Please pay attention to these points before taking a measurement or if you see an erratic reading.

  • If the cuff is tied properly as per instructions
  • If the cuff is too tight or too loose
  • If you are seated or lying in a proper position
  • If there is any low battery indication 
  • If you have moved or spoken during measurement
  • If you feel anxious (Relax for few minutes & take deep breaths to calm down)