A complete guide to check your blood pressure at home: Automated & Manual

Let’s begin by, what actually is blood pressure? The force by which the heart pumps blood through your arteries is called blood pressure. This force may increase or decrease. The increase in blood pressure is called high blood pressure whereas the decrease in blood pressure is known as low blood pressure. Every individual must have a normal blood pressure range which differs from age to age.

You don’t always need to rush to the doctor to check your blood pressure. Knowing how to check your own blood pressure can help you in many ways. This is especially important when your doctor has recommended you to check your blood pressure on a regular basis.

Blood Pressure

Some tips to keep in mind before you check your own blood pressure:

Some factors cause a temporary rise in blood pressure. Those are:

So, these things must be avoided when you’re checking blood pressure to get clear results.

Automated Blood Pressure Machine

This is the easiest way to check your blood pressure. People with hearing impairments usually use automated cuffs. They have a digital monitor that displays your blood pressure reading on the screen. The readings in an automated machine may have a slight difference in comparison to the manual ones.

Compare your readings on both machines. This can help you calibrate your machine and identify the levels you should look for in your device. It is also important to purchase a high-quality device for minimum errors. However, most people prefer checking their blood pressure manually.

Blood Pressure Machine

Manual Blood Pressure Machine

The manual blood pressure machine also called the sphygmomanometer. It consists of a squeezable balloon, aneroid monitor and a stethoscope. It is advisable to ask a family member or friend to assist you as it may be difficult to use it on your own.