Blood Pressure with Mercury Manometer
For Health and safety reasons the use of a mercury filled manaometer is not recommended. Alternative calibrated devices are available.
Good control of blood pressure has proven to be beneficial for people with diabetes.
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The arm must be supported at the level of the heart. Ensure no tight clothing constricts the arm View image
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Place the cuff on neatly with the centre of the bladder over the brachial artery. The bladder should encircle at least 80% of the arm (but not more than 100%) View image
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The column of mercury must be vertical, and at the observers eye level
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Estimate the systolic beforehand:
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- Palpate the brachial artery
- Inflate cuff until pulsation disappears
- Deflate cuff
- Estimate systolic pressure
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Then inflate to 30mmHg above the estimated systolic level needed to occlude the pulse
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Place the stethoscope diaphragm over the brachial artery and deflate at a rate of 2-3mm/sec until you hear regular tapping sounds
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Measure systolic (first sound) and diastolic (disappearance) to nearest 2mmHgOnce treatment for hypertension is started then the target Blood Pressure is 130/80. Blood pressure targets may be lower in those with proteinuria or progressive microalbuminuria.
Any reading above 140/80 should be taken twice more over the next month to establish an accurate reading and then treated according to the blood pressure care pathway. It is important to establish why the blood pressure might be high and to try to address any alternative causes of blood pressure rising.