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5. Taking a Blood Pressure Measurement
5.1. Before the measurement:
• Avoid eating, smoking as well as all forms of exertion directly before
your measurement. These factors influence the measurement result.
Relax by sitting in an armchair in a quiet atmosphere for about 5 min-
utes before your measurement.
• Always measure on the same wrist (normally left).
• Compare readings at the same time of day, since your blood pressure
changes during the course of the day.
5.2. Common sources of error:
Note:
Comparable blood pressure measurements always require the same
conditions. These are normally always quiet conditions.
• All efforts by the patient to support the arm can increase blood pres-
sure. Make sure you are in a comfortable, relaxed position and do not
activate any of the muscles in the measurement arm during the mea-
surement. Use a cushion for support if necessary.
• If the wrist artery lies considerably lower (higher) than the heart, an
erroneously higher (lower) blood pressure will be measured! (Each
15cm/6" difference in height results in a measurement error
of10mmHg!)
• A loose cuff causes false measurement values.
• With repeated measurements, blood can accumulate in the respective
arm, which can lead to false results. Correctly executed blood pressure
measurements should therefore first be repeated after a 1 minute
pause or after the arm has been held up in order to allow the accumu-
lated blood to flow away.
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