How to Use a Manual Blood Pressure Monitor

High blood pressure is common among adults of all ages. Many people choose to monitor their blood pressure in the comfort of their own homes with a manual blood pressure monitor.

Things You'll Need

• Chair
• Table

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Instructions

• 1

  Remove any constricting clothing from your upper left arm.

• 2

  Sit straight up in a chair with your feet resting flat on the floor. Do not cross your legs.

• 3

  Loosen the blood pressure cuff and slide your left arm through it until it is positioned about 1/2 inch above your elbow. Secure the cuff in this position with the closure device. Ensure that the cuff is not too tight by checking to see if you can slide your index finger between the cuff and your arm.

• 4

  Rest your left forearm on a nearby table so that the blood pressure cuff is approximately the same height as your heart. Your palm should be facing upward. Rest in this position for 5 to 10 minutes.

• 5

  Inflate the cuff by rapidly pumping the inflation bulb to 30 to 40 mmHg higher than your normal systolic pressure. If you are unsure of your normal systolic pressure, inflate the cuff to approximately 180mmHg.

• 6

  When you reach the correct pressure, slowly release the inflation bulb. Watch the display as the numbers begin to decrease. When they come to a rest, you will have your current blood pressure reading.