How do you check your own blood pressure if you don't have one of those velcro arm bands with the pump? I went to the doctor yesterday and my blood pressure was 164/108. I'm supposed to be checking it regularly but I don't know how to do it.

Bill,
You can go to most grocery stores, Walmarts, and drug stores and get your pressure checked with a Dynamap (automatic) type blood pressure machines. They are not always totally accurate, but you can get somewhat of a picture over a long period of use. I hope that helps,
Audrey Kingery, RN

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Originally posted by billmasters71:
How do you check your own blood pressure if you don't have one of those velcro arm bands with the pump? I went to the doctor yesterday and my blood pressure was 164/108. I'm supposed to be checking it regularly but I don't know how to do it.

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Bill, in addition to neighborhood stores (which often times may not be too reliable) most Fire Stations offer free blood pressure readings. Perhaps you could look in to that. If you must use a nearby store for your reading, take several at a time and then average the readings.

Good luck and hope things calm down for you!

Feel at the bend of your arm for a pulse. There should be an arrow on the cloth you wrap around your arm. The arrow goes just above the bend of your arm where you felt the pulse. Put the stethoscope where you felt the pulse. Pump to about 200 and release slowly. The first pulse you hear is your top number. The last pulse is the bottom one. It should never be over 90. That is considered hypertensive.

The easy way is to buy one of those electronic things that go around your wrist. You will get a digital reading and is easier to do checking yourself. More expensive though.

You should also check both arms for differences in readings. The left arm is the most accurate. Blood pressure varies with sitting, standing, and lying. Your pressure is way too high. You probably need medication for this. The long term effects of high blood pressure are heart attack and stroke. Both very serious. You usually never know that you even have high blood pressure that needs treatment until it's too late. That's why it's called the silent killer. Keep an eye on this one and insist on medication if this continues.

You can buy a automatic blood pressure machine fairly cheaply that you can use at home to monitor your BP. Most you can do by your self others you might need help putting the cuff on. Go to Walmart or you local drug store and check them out. Read about them and find one that seems to be good for you. If you don't know ask the pharmacy.
a nurse