The Right Way to Take Your Blood Pressure with a Mercury Sphygmomanometer: A Video Guide353

Measuring your blood pressure at home is a great way to keep track of your health and ensure that it stays within a healthy range. A mercury sphygmomanometer is a type of blood pressure monitor that uses a column of mercury to measure the pressure in your arteries. It is one of the most accurate types of blood pressure monitors and is often used in clinical settings. However, it is important to use a mercury sphygmomanometer correctly in order to get an accurate reading.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Measuring Blood Pressure with a Mercury Sphygmomanometer
Gather your materials. You will need a mercury sphygmomanometer, a stethoscope, and a blood pressure cuff.
Prepare the patient. The patient should be seated in a comfortable position with their feet flat on the floor and their arm supported at heart level.
Wrap the cuff around the patient's arm. The cuff should be placed snugly around the patient's upper arm, about 1-2 inches above the elbow crease. The arrow on the cuff should be aligned with the brachial artery, which is located on the inside of the arm.
Inflate the cuff. Use the hand pump to inflate the cuff until the pressure gauge reads 30 mm Hg above the patient's expected systolic blood pressure. (You can estimate the patient's systolic blood pressure by feeling for their pulse in their wrist and inflating the cuff until the pulse disappears.)
Listen for the Korotkoff sounds. Place the stethoscope over the brachial artery and listen for the Korotkoff sounds. These are a series of sounds that occur as the blood begins to flow through the artery. The first Korotkoff sound is the systolic blood pressure, which is the highest pressure in the arteries.
Deflate the cuff. Slowly deflate the cuff while continuing to listen for the Korotkoff sounds. The last Korotkoff sound is the diastolic blood pressure, which is the lowest pressure in the arteries.
Record the blood pressure reading. Write down the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings on a piece of paper or in a blood pressure log.

Tips for Getting an Accurate Blood Pressure Reading* Relax and sit still during the measurement.
* Make sure the cuff is the right size for your arm.
* Inflate the cuff to the correct pressure.
* Listen carefully for the Korotkoff sounds.
* Deflate the cuff slowly.
* Record the blood pressure reading accurately.

Video DemonstrationTo see a video demonstration of how to measure blood pressure with a mercury sphygmomanometer, please click on the link below:
[Link to video]

Additional Resources* [American Heart Association: How to Measure Your Blood Pressure at Home](/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-control/how-to-measure-your-blood-pressure-at-home)
* [Mayo Clinic: Blood Pressure Monitor: How to Use Home Blood Pressure Monitors](/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/blood-pressure-monitors/art-20045361)
* [National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: How to Measure Blood Pressure at Home](/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/health-professional-resources/how-measure-blood-pressure-home)

2025-01-09

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