How to Take Blood Pressure

1.  Place cuff on upper arm with arrows pointing to the location of the brachial artery.

2.  Place stethoscope over the location of the artery.

3.  Inflate cuff to about 160. ( If it does not inflate, check to make sure the valve is closed. )

 

4.  Listen.  Slowly release valve, the number on the gauge will drop.
5.  The first “blurp” sound you hear is the systolic pressure.
6.  Listen.  You should hear the sound of a heartbeat, it may even get louder.  When you stop hearing the sound, note the number on the gauge.  This is the diastolic pressure.

Reading for a typical patient. Blood pressure would be 124/65