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5. Carrying out a measurement
5.1. Before measurement:
• Avoid eating, smoking as well as all forms of exertion directly before measurement.
All these factors influence measurement result. Try to find time to relax by sitting in
an armchair in a quiet atmosphere for about ten minutes before measurement.
• Remove any garment that fits closely to your wrist arm.
• Always measure on the same arm (normally left).
• Take measurements regularly at the same time of day, since blood-pressure
changes during the course of the day.
5.2. Common sources of error:
Note:
Comparable blood-pressure measurements always require the same conditions!
These are normally always quiet conditions.
• All efforts by the patient to support their arm can increase blood-pressure. Make sure
you are in a comfortable, relaxed position and do not activate any of the muscles in the
measurement arm during measurement. Use a cushion for support if necessary.
• If the wrist artery lies considerably lower (higher) than the heart, an erroneously
higher (lower) blood pressure will be measured! Each 15cm difference in height
results in a measurement error of 10mmHg!
• With repeated measurements, blood can accumulate in the respective arm, which can
lead to false results. Correctly executed blood pressure measurements should therefore
first be repeated after a 1 minute pause or after the arm has been held up in order to
allow the accumulated blood to flow away. (Does not apply to a MAM measurement).
5.3. Fitting the cuff
a) Remove all objects and jewelry (e.g. wristwatch)
from the wrist in use. Put the cuff over the wrist with
the monitor face on the inside of the wrist.
b) The distance between the cuff and the hand should
be approx. 10 mm (1/2”).
M
M
0.5 ~ 1.0 cm
(1/4” ~ 1/2”)
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