Find Out How to Measure Blood Pressure Without Equipment
Blood pressure, body temperature, breathing rate, and heartbeats are four vital signs that indicate the health condition of a human being. Each one has a specific normal range. When the rate of vital signs is below or higher than the normal range, it indicates some health issue. The normal rate can change due to age, health conditions, medication, stress, and other factors.
Your blood pressure is the force the heart applies to pump blood. It is indicated by two numbers: the first systolic number indicates the pressure blood exerts against the artery wall when the heart pushes the blood through the arteries, and the second number indicates the pressure blood exerts on arteries when the heart is resting between heartbeats.
BP is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). A BP of 120/80 mm Hg is considered normal. If it goes below 90/60 mm Hg, it is considered low blood pressure; high blood pressure is when the numbers reach 140/90 mm Hg or higher.
It is impossible to measure blood pressure accurately without equipment. The following method to measure blood pressure without equipment will give you only a rough estimate of your systolic blood pressure. If you want to know your diastolic or accurate blood pressure, you have to use a manual or digital BP measuring device.
How is blood pressure measured? The manual method without using a BP machine is not recommended because it is unreliable. You should use it only when you cannot access a BP device and need some basic idea about your BP. Do not make any medical decision based on the systolic BP number you get with the following no-equipment BP measuring method.
How to Measure the Blood Pressure by Checking Radial Artery?
This method lets you know your radial pulse, which gives a basic idea of systolic blood pressure. With this method, you can only know if your BP is normal.
Find your radial artery above the wrist and under the thumb, and use your index and middle fingers to check the radial pulse of the other hand. Place these two fingers on your radial artery, which is below the wrist folds on the thumb side and on the palm side. If your pulse feels sharp, you have BP above 80 mm Hg. Do not use your thumb to check the pulse of the radial artery, as this finger has a strong pulse and can interfere with reading the pulse on the wrist.
Similarly, you can check the pulse of the carotid artery in the neck. Check the position of the carotid artery in a body diagram. A palpated pulse indicates you have a BP of 60-70 mm Hg. When using any such BP reading methods, avoid pressing too hard against the artery as it can constrict the blood vessel, and in the case of the carotid artery, a strong pressure can lower blood pressure, leading to dizziness.
Check your BP in a relaxed position when you are free from stress. Press against the artery only as much as needed – when you can feel the pulse, then that much pressure is sufficient. Keep in mind that all these blood pressure measuring methods without using any equipment will give you only a rough estimate of your BP. You can get an accurate BP only by using a blood pressure measuring device.
How to Measure Blood Pressure Properly?
Using reliable blood pressure measuring equipment is the right way to measure your BP. It will give you an accurate BP reading which is necessary to know if you want to keep a watch on your health condition. If your BP is high, you must consult your doctor immediately and follow the guidelines and prescriptions to lower it.
Sometimes you may have your BP nearing a high level, which indicates you are at risk of developing hypertension. The good thing here is that right now, you can manage and control your BP simply by lifestyle changes and do not have to start taking any BP-lowering medication. Some individuals have lower BP, and they need a different line of treatment.
How to Measure Blood Pressure at Home?
Follow the instructions given by your healthcare provider in this matter. Read the instructions provided in the manual of your BP device. In most cases, you will receive advice to measure your BP at home several times a day or at least two times a day. The reason is that BP changes throughout the day based on your activities. BP is also affected by stress level, fluid intake, environment, activity level, and other factors.
Taking blood pressure readings without equipment should only be a last resort to obtain a rough estimate, as this method won’t provide accurate results. If you’re seeking a personalized treatment plan for high blood pressure and expert guidance for its control and management, get in touch with Dr. Storch here.
