What is the unit of blood pressure? How to read and measure blood pressure accurately

Measuring blood pressure is an important thing for regular health monitoring. Join Tnhelearning.edu.vn to find out what the unit of blood pressure is as well as how to measure and read blood pressure on a blood pressure monitor!

What is blood pressure measurement?

Blood pressure measurement concept

Blood pressure measurement is one of the manual examination methods to measure the increase and decrease in blood pressure of a person in a certain period of time to assess the body’s blood pressure index, to support the examination and treatment process. sick.

Principle of blood pressure measurement

Blood pressure measurement is performed based on the principle of inflating a rubber armband to release the pulse of an artery and then gradually releasing the air to help observe and record the response of the artery. basis for diagnosis.

Blood pressure measurement results include 2 important indicators :

• Systolic blood pressure : Determined at the time when blood begins to pass through the vessel when the pressure in the rubber band begins to decrease.
• Diastolic blood pressure: Corresponds to the time when blood is completely free to circulate in the artery when there is no longer pressure from the rubber band on that artery.

What is a blood pressure reading?

Blood pressure is a number that shows how much pressure the heart exerts on the walls of blood vessels when the heart pumps blood. Based on this index, doctors can diagnose whether the patient’s cardiovascular health is good or not.

To determine what blood pressure is like, people will perform heart pressure measurements in both contractile (systolic) and dilated (diastolic) states. The larger the gap between these two numbers, the more normal the blood pressure, and vice versa.

The older you are, the higher your blood pressure will be

What is the unit of blood pressure?

The unit for measuring blood pressure is in millimeters of mercury. On measuring devices users will see the abbreviation for this unit is mmHG. Note, blood pressure readings can be affected by external environmental factors, leading to erroneous results.

Therefore, to get the most accurate measurement results, you should take measurements several times a day to be able to correctly determine your current health status and promptly receive treatment.

Microlife B6 Advanced automatic blood pressure monitor provides accurate blood pressure and heart rate measurement results

How to read blood pressure readings

Currently on the market there are many devices that support blood pressure measurement such as electronic blood pressure monitors in the wrist or electronic monitors in the upper arm. Despite the differences in design, the readings of blood pressure readings on these devices are similar.

• Systolic blood pressure: The number displayed at the top, equal to the SYS character and always greater than the number below. At this time, the pressure of the heart on the walls of the vessels is at its highest.
• Diastolic blood pressure: The number measured below, level with the letter DIA . This is a state when the heart is expanding and the pressure of the heart on the vessel walls is minimal.

Yuwell YE8600A electronic wrist blood pressure monitor has the function of measuring heart rate, blood pressure, health warning

Why measure blood pressure?

For the elderly, sick people or people with blood pressure problems, blood pressure measurement is very necessary. This helps you to check and monitor your blood pressure regularly, so that you can detect abnormal health problems for appropriate treatment.

Measure your blood pressure regularly to easily control your health condition

The most accurate way to measure blood pressure at home

Standard posture to measure blood pressure

To measure blood pressure for the most accurate results, the patient must choose a comfortable sitting position , before relaxing for 5 minutes.

Do not measure blood pressure immediately after running fast, climbing stairs, having just eaten, being too hungry, too tired, etc. because the blood pressure is then high or lower than the normal number.

Sit in the correct position for accurate blood pressure readings

Blood pressure measurement location

With an electronic sphygmomanometer, blood pressure can be measured in the upper arm or wrist as long as the sensor point in the cuff is at heart level. Specifically:

• If measuring on the biceps: The arm can be placed on the back of the table with the touch point about 2cm above the elbow crease.
• If measuring at the wrist: Bend your arm about 45 degrees so that your wrist is level with your heart.

Manipulation of blood pressure

After determining the measurement position and position, put on the hand wrap and press the control button on the machine to start the measurement process. Hold the position until the results are displayed on the screen, then turn off the device.

Hold the position until the blood pressure reading is available

Note:

• When measuring blood pressure, you should pay attention not to eat, drink, or speak while measuring blood pressure because it will cause erroneous results.
• When measuring for the first time, measure both arms so that later choose the arm with the blood pressure that tends to be higher.
• Blood pressure should be measured twice a day , in the morning before taking the medicine and in the afternoon about 1 hour after a meal.
• Record all results with the date and time of the measurement in a notebook for the doctor to easily evaluate during the follow-up visit.

Result of blood pressure measurement

When reporting results, you must include both systolic (large numbers) and diastolic (small numbers) values because doctors can only diagnose disease and assess progress when both values are available. In there:

• Normal blood pressure: The systolic blood pressure is less than 120 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mmHg.
• High blood pressure: When the systolic blood pressure is greater than 140 mmHG and the diastolic blood pressure is greater than 90 mm Hg .
• Prehypertension: The value of the blood pressure readings is between normal and high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure 120 – 139 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure 80 – 89 mmHg ).
• Low blood pressure : Diagnosed when systolic blood pressure is less than 90 mmHg or 25 mmHg lower than normal.

(DBP: Systolic blood pressure; HATtr: Diastolic blood pressure; BP: Blood pressure; BP: Hypertension)

Above is information on how to measure blood pressure accurately that Tnhelearning.edu.vn shares with you. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below the article.