Understanding and Using Blood Pressure Machines

A sphygmomanometer commonly known as a blood pressure monitoring machine is used to measure the pressure with which the blood is flowing in our body.

Several treatments consist of continuously measuring blood pressure and other vitals so that the treatment can be carried out. Nowadays, a digital blood pressure machine is quite famous among people as it enables them to quickly check their blood pressure or take precautions in time in a critical situation.

Types of Blood Pressure Machines

There are mainly two types of blood pressure machine available in the market, that are:

• Manual sphygmomanometer or manual blood pressure machine 
• Digital sphygmomanometer or digital blood pressure machine

Manual sphygmomanometer or manual blood pressure machine

The manual blood pressure machines are one of the most common and most popular blood pressure measuring machines. We all have seen these machines with doctors, these machines consist of a cuff that goes around our arm, a reading scale or a gauge, and an inflation build which the doctor pumps to make the cuff tight and measure the blood pressure. As the cuff gets tight it presses the veins with the use of which the blood pressure is measured.

There are two types of Manual sphygmomanometers or manual blood pressure machines, that are:

• Mercury sphygmomanometer: A mercury blood pressure machine is the best and the most recommended blood pressure measuring machine, which is used by almost all doctors worldwide. It consists of a cuff, a machine box, an inflation bulb, and a measuring scale of glass filled with mercury inside.

• Aneroid sphygmomanometer: This device was introduced to reduce the usage of mercury in the devices because of the effect that mercury has on the environment. In this the setup does not have a measuring scale instead it has a round guage with the readings written over it. These devices are less accurate than the conventional mercury sphygmomanometer.

Digital sphygmomanometer or Digital Blood Pressure Monitors

These devices were introduced in the market for the ease of those patients required to measure their blood pressure again and again in a certain interval of time. You do not need a prescription from a doctor to buy these blood pressure monitors, as they are completely safe and very easy and portable to use. A digital blood pressure monitor consists of a cuff and a small portable and compact programmed monitor that stiffs the cuff and measures the blood pressure.

How to Use a Blood Pressure Machine

Mostly every manual blood pressure machine requires a second person’s help to measure the blood pressure. But the digital blood pressure monitors are very easy to use and could be used easily by anyone without any kind of help from someone. But still, there are a few things that we need to keep in mind before measuring our blood pressure to achieve the correct and accurate readings, things to keep in mind are:

• Avoid doing any kind of exercise taking caffeine or smoking at least 30 minutes before measuring the blood pressure.
• Empty your bladder before measuring your blood pressure, since it could increase the blood pressure.
• Place the cuff directly upon the bare skin, do not tie it on a shirt or a cloth, as it will only provide the best results when in contact with the bare skin. 
• Do not talk when your blood pressure level is being monitored.
• Before measuring your blood pressure again try to wait for 5 minutes.

Interpreting Blood Pressure Readings

Blood pressure is usually recorded as two numbers like 120/80. The larger number is the systolic blood pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries as the heart pumps out blood during each beat. The lower number is the diastolic blood pressure, which is the pressure as the heart relaxes before the next beat. 

Here are some blood pressure ranges:

• Normal: Less than 120/80
• Elevated: 120-129/less than 80
• Stage I hypertension: 130-139/80-89
• Stage II hypertension: 140/90 or more
• Hypertensive crisis: 180/120 or higher

Benefits of Using a Blood Pressure Machine at Home

The manual blood pressure machine monitors were very very difficult for the general patients to use, so the digital blood pressure monitors were introduced for the patients that needed to measure their blood pressure frequently. So there are several benefits of using a blood pressure at home, that are:

• Can help with the early diagnosis of a health issue, we could check if we have high blood pressure or low blood pressure generally which is difficult to analyze at a doctor’s clinic.
• Helps to track your treatment it is a way of checking whether the medicines you are taking for the treatment of a particular issue are working on your body or not.
• It helps us to cut down on our hospital expenses and time and helps us to monitor our blood pressure at home.
• It helps us to lead to a more controlled and balanced life, as we will ourself would know the condition of our body.

Conclusion

A Digital blood pressure monitor records two numbers, for example, 120/80. The top number is the systolic blood pressure, which is the pressure of blood against the artery walls when the heart beats. The bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure, which is the pressure of blood against the artery walls between heartbeats. So, consider all the factors before buying a blood pressure machine.