THE CORRECT MEASURING POSITION
Perform the measurement while seated. Pay attention to the following:
•
Assume a comfortable sitting position
•
Do not cross the legs
•
Place the feet flat on the floor
•
Support the back and arm
•
Place the centre of the cuff at the height of the right atrium
•
Relax the arm and place it on a table, for example
•
Keep quiet and calm during the measurement: Do not move or talk, as this
could affect the measurement values.
The following must be noted when taking the blood pressure:
•
Seated measurement after 3 – 5 minutes of rest prior to the measurement
•
At least two blood pressure measurements at an interval of 1 to 2 minutes in
a seated position and additional confirmation measurements, if the first two
measurements differ significantly. The averaging of the blood pressure values
may be considered.
•
Repeat the measurements in order to improve the accuracy for patients with
arrhythmias, e.g. atrial fibrillation.
•
The cuff must be positioned at heart height.
•
For auscultatoric methods, pay attention to the disappearance of the Korotkoff
sounds to identify the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (phase I and V).
•
The blood pressure should be measured on both arms as part of an initial
examination. The higher blood pressure value is the reference value.
•
In order to detect orthostatic hypotension for older patients, diabetics or
other common illnesses, the first measurement should take place while
standing, after 1 and 3 minutes.
•
For conventional blood pressure measurements, the heart rate should be
detected by feeling for the pulse (at least 30 seconds) in a seated position
after the second measurement.
MED 113275
2017-05-02
47/176