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Upper Arm Monitor Guidelines |
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Upper Arm Monitor Guidelines for accurate blood pressure measurement
These guidelines will help you when measuring blood pressure using an Omron upper arm blood pressure monitor
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| 1. Sit down and relax. Do not sit with your legs crossed. |
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| 2. Caffeine and cigarettes will raise your blood pressure so leave 20 minutes since your last tea or coffee and cigarette. If you need the toilet then go now since being uncomfortable will also raise your blood pressure. |
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| 3. Remove coat or jumper if necessary to expose bare upper-arm. It is not necessary to remove a shirt or blouse since Omron upper-arm monitors will detect BP and pulse rate through thin clothing. |
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| 4. Avoid rolling up sleeves as this can cause a constriction to the arm. |
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| 5. Place the cuff approximately 2.5cm (1 inch) above the crease in the elbow, with the air tubr towards the hand and the blue tag or green band (depending on cuff used) in the centre of the inner arm. Normally your blood pressure is taken on your left arm. |
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| 6. Ensure the cuff is Velcro fastened comfortably without being too tight. |
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| 7. Insert the air tube into the opening on the left of the monitor, not into the mains adaptor socket at the back! |
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| 8. Press the (O/I) button on the front of the monitor, a heart symbol and zero will appear on the screen to indicate that it is ready to measure. |
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| 9. Remain still during the measurement and do not talk. You are now ready to press 'start'. |
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| 10. The cuff will inflate and then slowly deflate, taking approximately 30 seconds in total. |
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| 11. Make a note of the measurement and the pulse rate if necessary. These will appear on the display either simultaneously or will alternate, depending on the monitor used. |
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| 12. Wait for a minimum of 3 minutes and take the measurement again. The British Hypertension Society recommends ignoring the 1st reading and taking the average of the 2nd and 3rd readings. |
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| Notes: Error readings displayed as 'E' are due to talking or moving during measurement or the cuff not being fitted correctly. In which case, check the cuff fitting; remain quiet while you take another measurement. |
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