What are the 3 elements of determining blood pressure?
Blood pressure readings
- Systolic pressure (top number). The pressure exerted against your artery walls when your heart beats.
- Diastolic pressure (bottom number). The pressure exerted against your artery walls when your heart rests, in between beats.
What questions should a nurse ask prior to taking a patient’s blood pressure?
Physicians should ask three questions when measuring blood pressure: (1) whether patients were rushing or physically active just before the appointment; (2) whether they have been taking their medication; and (3) what kind of diet and physical activity regimen they have.
What should be checked before blood pressure?
Avoid food, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol for 30 minutes before taking a measurement. Also, go to the toilet first. A full bladder can increase blood pressure slightly. Sit quietly before and during monitoring.
What is the procedure of measuring blood pressure?
For a manual blood pressure measurement, the nurse or technician places a stethoscope over the major artery in your upper arm (brachial artery) to listen to blood flow. The cuff is inflated with a small hand pump. As the cuff inflates, it squeezes your arm. Blood flow through the artery stops for a moment.
What is systolic and diastolic?
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: The first number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.
What is the normal BP range?
ideal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher. low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or lower.
What do you monitor for hypertension?
Things to remember when measuring blood pressure at home: Choose a blood pressure monitor with a cuff that fits around the upper arm. Wrist and finger monitors are not recommended. Measure your blood pressure every day around the same time. Take 2 or 3 measurements, one minute apart.
Which arm is best for blood pressure?
(It’s best to take your blood pressure from your left arm if you are right-handed. However, you can use the other arm if you have been told to do so by your healthcare provider.) Rest in a chair next to a table for 5 to 10 minutes. (Your left arm should rest comfortably at heart level.)
What are the normal BP ranges?
As a general guide: ideal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher. low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or lower.