Health! This is what we wish to our friends and relatives. This is what every person needs. It is important to monitor your health from an early age and respond in time to any ailments. A healthy person can have a full life, but, unfortunately, over the years, pressure begins to disturb. In order to learn how to correctly measure blood pressure, you should read this article. In it, we will consider a variety of devices with which you can monitor the performance of our body.
What is a tonometer?
A tonometer is a device with which blood pressure (BP) is measured. The normal pressure in humans is 120 and 80 mmHg (systolic and diastolic). Each person has his own individual norm of pressure, which may differ by 10 mmHg from the norm.
Who needs a tonometer?
Every home should have a blood pressure monitor. A person suffering from hypertension should not be allowed to part with a tonometer in order to prevent a hypertensive crisis. After 50 years, the state of the blood vessels worsens, as a result of which the blood pressure rises.
Athletes measure pressure with a tonometer to monitor the condition of the body during physical exertion. Blood pressure indicators should be monitored by people who have diabetes. Pregnancy is also a must for frequent pressure measurements.
A tonometer is necessary for a person who occupies a responsible position and therefore is often subjected to nervous breakdowns, stress or is in constant emotional stress. Smokers and alcohol lovers should also measure blood pressure more often than usual.
Deviation from the norm of blood pressure indicators is characterized by the following symptoms: nausea, dizziness, heart pain, headaches. If you use the pressure meter in time, then you can prevent disturbances in the work of our body.
The principle of operation of the tonometer
Depending on the model of the pressure measuring device, several diagnostic methods are distinguished: the oscillometric method and the Korotkov method. The first method is more modern - thanks to an electronic device, data is displayed on the screen. The second method is that the pulse is monitored using a mechanical device (phonendoscope). However, the principle of operation of the tonometer is the same in both cases.
The correct pressure measurement algorithm
A cuff (sleeve with a pneumatic chamber) is put on the arm in the wrist or shoulder area, into which air is supplied and increases in size, as a result of which the artery is compressed and the blood flow is blocked. If you listen to the pulse with a phonendoscope, then at this moment no beats can be heard, since the blood does not pulsate through the veins.
The air blower is equipped with a special valve that relieves the pressure in the cuff. It is important not to miss when the blood begins to circulate through the veins again, at this moment a person hears pulse beats through a phonendoscope, and on the manometer marks the indicators of upper blood pressure.
Gradually, the blood flow increases (pulse sounds are heard), and when the audible sound stops, it means that the blood flow has fully recovered. At this point, an indicator of lower blood pressure is visible on the manometer. Automatic pressure meters do not require the participation of a person to listen to the pulse, because the indicators are determined by the electronic mechanism.
Tonometer Features
To correctly measure the pressure on the arm, it is important to study the principle and rules of the device. The accuracy of the indicators depends on the proper operation of the tonometer. The variety of instruments for measuring pressure and the methods of the procedure itself is quite large, we will consider them further. Classification of methods for calculating blood pressure:
- On the finger. This device measures pressure with a small error. It is simple and compact. It is popular in use among athletes, as it makes it possible to quickly and often measure pressure indicators.
- On the wrist. The carpal tonometer (bracelet for measuring pressure and heart rate) is no less popular and convenient to use. Ideal for people with an active lifestyle. Due to the small size of the device, it is convenient to take it with you for a walk, to the country, on trips, etc. In addition to measuring pressure, he is able to determine the pulse, for which he is often called a heart rate monitor.
- On the shoulder. Such a tonometer for measuring pressure with a cuff appeared first and is still considered the most reliable. Unlike the tonometers listed above, it can be either mechanical or automatic. The first is characterized by reliability indicators and is used in hospitals, clinics, etc.
When choosing a device with a cuff on the shoulder or a bracelet for measuring pressure and heart rate, you must be guided by the following parameters: age, ease of use, frequency of use. With age, the thickness of the vessels increases, so listening to the pulse on the wrist is more difficult than in youth. If the device is necessary for an elderly person, then you should choose a tonometer with a cuff worn on the shoulder, and not a bracelet (pedometer) with pressure measurement on the wrist. After all, the vessels lose their elasticity in the wrist, and pressure indicators may be inaccurate. A mechanical model will help to avoid these errors.
Automatic blood pressure monitors
The use of automatic blood pressure monitors for measuring blood pressure does not require special efforts and skills. If the cuff is positioned correctly, then such a device will perform the entire algorithm of actions. The automatic blood pressure monitor is ideal for the elderly with weak limbs.
To measure, put the cuff on your hand and press the start button. Thanks to the compressor, the device pumps air into the cuff to a certain level. The results of diastolic and systolic pressure are displayed on the screen. There are models with various functions on sale: a clock, built-in memory, voice messages, etc.
A person suffering from arrhythmia should choose an automatic blood pressure monitor, since not only blood pressure indicators, but also the pulse rate are displayed on his monitor. Such devices operate on batteries and batteries, and some models have the ability to connect to electricity using network adapters.
Pros and Cons of an Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor
Automatic blood pressure monitors come with a cuff on the shoulder, carpal, and those that are attached to the finger. Their advantages:
- accessible and easy to use;
- all indicators are clearly visible on a digital board;
- have additional functions (voiceover of results);
- a number of instruments can show the average data of the last 3 measurements;
- no need to manually fill the cuff with air;
- measurement accuracy does not depend on the human factor;
- some devices have built-in memory.
The main disadvantages of these devices:
- make errors when measuring blood pressure;
- high price (multifunction devices);
- many models are not compact;
- some blood pressure monitors do not have a translation into Russian (with the exception of AND models);
- need frequent replacement of batteries and batteries.
After weighing all the pros and cons, you can easily decide on the choice of tonometer.
Pros and cons of a semi-automatic blood pressure monitor
In this device, the cuff is manually filled with air using a special bulb. The number of strokes is determined by the automatic mechanism, and the results are displayed on the electronic display in the same way as in the previous version of the tonometer. The main advantages of a semi-automatic blood pressure monitor:
- low price with excellent functionality;
- independently calculates pressure indicators;
- results are visible on the liquid crystal screen;
- no need to replace the battery and batteries;
Having studied the characteristics, you can make sure that the correlation of the price and functionality of this device is correct.
Semi-automatic devices are cheaper than automatic ones, but have a number of disadvantages:
- slight errors in the calculation of blood pressure;
- human help is required to fill the cuff with air;
- more expensive than a mechanical model of the device.
This device allows you to measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate.
Pros and cons of a mechanical blood pressure monitor
Such a device differs from all of the above in its accuracy, which is why it is used in medical institutions. Consider the main advantages:
- The most accurate pressure gauge.
- Low price of the device.
- Long service life.
A person will need some skills to measure blood pressure with this device, and also need to have good hearing and vision. Such devices are more often used in everyday life. Thanks to the ring on the cuff, a person can put it on his own hand. Cuff sizes are different: for adults and children. The mechanical tonometer has minor disadvantages:
- need a professional skill;
- it is difficult to measure pressure without assistance;
- need good eyesight and hearing.
This device has an air blower, which is a special rubber bulb with an exhaust valve. With a phonendoscope or stethoscope, you can listen to the pulse.
Cuff for tonometer and its characteristics
The cuff is made of a fabric sheath containing a rubber chamber. It can be worn on both the wrist and shoulder. There are different sizes of the cuff, but to obtain accurate pressure measurement results, you must use a size that is as close as possible to the circumference of a person’s arm. For comfortable operation use 3 universal sizes:
- L are large.
- M - medium.
- S are small.
The wrist tonometer also has a cuff, its size is small, for this reason the device is not suitable for full people.
Tonometer for measuring blood pressure. Terms of use
In order to use the tonometer, a person needs to prepare: take a comfortable position and correctly place the cuff on his arm. For planned monitoring of blood pressure should be prepared in advance. An hour before the procedure, you can not drink coffee and strong tea, do any physical activity.
Before measuring blood pressure, it is not advised to be in open sunlight, take a hot bath or shower, as the indicators may be distorted. Just before the procedure, you need to calmly sit, relax and get rid of any tension. Even cold air, which provokes a spasm of blood vessels, can distort readings.
Medical workers are advised to measure pressure while sitting, but if the patient is not able to sit, then the procedure is allowed to be carried out while lying down. It is important for the patient to put his left hand on the surface and relax it, and the shoulder should be at heart level. You need to measure the pressure 2-3 times with a 5-minute interval.
How to choose a tonometer?
Choosing a pressure meter is an important and crucial step. Having studied the capabilities and equipment of modern tonometers, everyone can decide on the model of the device. But what is still better to know before buying a tonometer? Below are the main parameters:
- Correct cuff size. If the device is bought for a child, then the cuff, respectively, should be the smallest size.
- Automatic or mechanical models. For example, not every person will be able to independently measure pressure with a pear instrument. If a tonometer with an automatic air pump is purchased, then models with additional functions should be noted (for visually impaired people - voice acting, and for hypertensive patients - a device with artificial intelligence).
- Replacing the battery and batteries. It is worth paying attention to the quality of these components.
If the means for measuring pressure will be used daily, then it is more practical to buy a device that works on the network. Semi-automatic models will be the best option. They are ideal in price, equipment and accuracy.