Applying Your Blood Pressure Cuff
Avoid smoking, eating, taking medication, alcohol consumption or physical activity 30 min- utes prior to taking a reading. If you are exhibiting signs of stress, avoid taking your meas- urement until the feeling subsides. Rest 15 minutes prior to taking a reading.
Note: If for any reason you are unable to or should not use your left arm, please modify the following instructions and apply the cuff to your right arm. Your physician can tell you which arm is best for you to use.
1. Remove any constrictive clothing or jewelry that may interfere with the cuff placement. Be seated with your feet flat on the floor.
2. Insert the end of the connector into the monitor, Fig. 1.
3. | Widen or open the cuff by pulling or rolling the |
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| bottom of the cuff towards the right, |
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| Fig. 2. This should open the cuff, |
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| creating a cylinder. Do not extend |
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| the cuff beyond the metal bar. |
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4. | Insert your arm into the cuff | Fig. 2 |
(cylinder). Position the (
) mark over the main artery (on the inside of your arm). Fig. 3.
5. The bottom edge of the cuff should be positioned approximately
one inch ABOVE the elbow joint. Fig. 4.
6. Reaching underneath your left arm with your right hand, pull the end of the cuff towards your body to tighten the cuff, Fig. 5. Wrap and secure the cuff making sure that the (
) mark remains as shown, Fig. 3.
7. The cuff should fit comfortably, yet snugly around your arm. You should be able to insert two fingers between your arm and the cuff.
Note: The cuff size is suitable for use when the vertical “Index” mark is within the horizontal “OK” range. A different sized cuff is needed if the “Index” mark is outside of the “OK” range.
Fig. 1
Fig. 3
1”
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
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