The use of an electronic blood pressure monitor has become universally accepted today. But in some cases, the question arises of how to use a mechanical tonometer. It turns out that the use of a mechanical apparatus is indicated for people with vascular atherosclerosis and elderly people. In all cases when the blood vessels are insensitive to electronic devices, it is the mechanical apparatus that should be used.
How is a mechanical tonometer arranged?
In order to understand how to use a mechanical tonometer correctly, you need to know how it is arranged and what we measure with this device. Any mechanical blood pressure monitor for measuring blood pressure should consist of two parts:
- mechanical tonometer itself;
- phonendoscope.
It must be said right away that this device was created so that they measure the pressure of two: the doctor and the patient. It was invented by the Russian surgeon N. S. Korotkov in 1905, today it is an internationally recognized technique used everywhere.
It is based on the principle of sound (auscultatory) observation of the work of internal organs. We can measure blood pressure in arteries (rather than veins) by external observation (on the radial artery). When measuring pressure, the upper diastolic pressure is measured first (when the tone is highest) and then the lower (total signal attenuation) is systolic. This allows you to get a very clear picture, which depends little on the movement of the arm or the presence of arrhythmia in the patient.
Among the disadvantages of this method will be purely human factors:
- mandatory experience in measuring;
- good hearing and vision;
- the patient’s lack of “auscultatory failure” phenomena of “infinite tone”;
- the need for constant calibration calibration of the sphygmomanometer.
You can measure blood pressure with this simple device yourself. It is only necessary to observe a number of simple rules and adhere to the instructions. You should very well learn how to use a mechanical tonometer, and you will be able to accurately and very quickly measure your blood pressure yourself without any problems.
So, the mechanical tonometer consists of a cuff that needs to be put on the forearm, pears for pumping air and a pressure gauge (see indicators). All parts are interconnected by special tubes through which air moves. A stethoscope is attached separately.
When pumping air into the cuff, we will hear the highest tone, and then a measured tapping, which will subside. The highest value heard will be a systolic indicator, and what we hear most weakly (with attenuation) will be a diastolic one.
Now we will analyze step by step how to use a mechanical tonometer.
How to install a cuff
First you need to sit so that the elbow, forearm and hand on which the measurement will be carried out, is freely located on some surface. For example, on the table top. This is very important to do before using a mechanical tonometer yourself. Now fix the cuff above the elbow. We put it on not tight (without squeezing the hand), but not weak.
There is a special metal lock on the cuff, behind which there is a velcro fastener. Install the cuff so that it is parallel to the latch, will not succeed. She always fastens a little diagonally. This is not scary.
It is very important that the cuff itself is located at the level of the patient’s heart, it is 2-3 cm above the elbow. If the cuff is lower or higher, the result will be distorted.
How to install a stethoscope
In order to take a measurement, you need to install a stethoscope on the radial artery, on the bend of the elbow under the cuff.
It is only possible to inflate air into the cuff after the stethoscope has been installed in the indicated place.
For ease of measurement, place the pressure gauge so that the arrow and the numbers on it are clearly visible. This will greatly facilitate the measurement. You may need an extra pillow or stand.
How to pump air
How to use a mechanical tonometer, the instructions for the device will also tell you. Look at her, she will become a good helper. After the cuff is fixed, you need to pump air into it with the help of a special bulb (in the instructions it is called an air blower).
First tighten the latch on the pear (the air bleeder valve) all the way, and then pump the air into the cuff with the other hand (not with the one to be measured). At the same time, on the manometer, the arrow should show pressure above your usual somewhere by 40 units. For example, if the pressure is usually 120/80, then the needle needs to reach 160 mmHg. Then slowly release (unscrew) the air valve.
How to determine your own pressure
In order to understand one how to use a mechanical tonometer, it should be remembered that measuring his pressure, you need to simultaneously release air, follow the gauge needle and listen to the tones. This requires a certain skill and may not work out the first time. However, short training will help to carry out the procedure quickly and get a high accuracy result.
So, first the arrow will move slowly, but there will be no sound. Then a strong tone will appear, the strongest sound will indicate systolic pressure.
Gradually (the speed depends on the speed of air release), rhythmic tones will fade, and the indicator of the arrow on the minimally distinguishable sound is diastolic pressure. For example, if the sound appeared at 145 mm. mercury column, but disappeared by 80, then, respectively, the pressure indicators will be 145/80.
No more than 2 measurements can be carried out in a row. If you are not sure of the accuracy of the result, take a half-hour break and repeat.
Do not measure blood pressure after climbing stairs or getting too excited. And even more so to diagnose himself.
About reviews
User reviews say that measuring blood pressure using a mechanical tonometer is more accurate. Their error is not more than 7 mm RT. from. This is a fairly high indicator (electronic analogues may have an error of up to 40 mmHg).
Many say that measuring skills are easy to obtain when conducting frequent measurements. Another useful feature of the described apparatus is that users call it simplicity of control that does not require skills to work with complex mechanisms (as when measuring with electronic devices).
Many reviews also note the patient’s personal attitude - a lack of fear and excitement before measurement will serve a good service.
In general, according to user descriptions, it is a mechanical tonometer that is simpler and more reliable. How to measure blood pressure, reviews explain in detail, and call the device quite convenient to use.