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How to Take Blood Pressure: a step by step guide

by Christine Kennard
for About.com

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

4 of 6

Taking the Blood Pressure

switchon
Switch on the Machine
image: c. kennard
Explain to the person that the procedure takes just a few seconds and that they will first feel the cuff tighten as the reading is taken and then deflate. The whole process is completely automatic. When everyone is ready switch on the machine. The panel will illuminate and numbers will display. After a second or two you can press the start button.
  1. Check Equipment is Ready
  2. A Look Over the Blood Pressure Machine
  3. Positioning the Arm and Equipment
  4. Taking the Blood Pressure
  5. Reading Blood Pressure & Pulse
  6. Understanding The Blood Pressure Reading

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