This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

blood pressure

well im off to the doctors, and my mum says (shes a nurse) that their going to take my blood pressure?

what do they do and does it feel strange?

Reply 1

sarCAZm

11

little inflatey armband that they inflate.
It doens't really hurt, but you can feel it tightening, a slight discomfort shall we say.

Reply 2

rachd_22

OP

13

sarCAZm

little inflatey armband that they inflate.
It doens't really hurt, but you can feel it tightening, a slight discomfort shall we say.

thankyou, now i know what to expect. was panicing loads before as didnt have a clue !

Reply 3

sarCAZm

11

Its really nothing :smile:

Reply 4

--

3

Just feels like someone inflating a swimming arm-band thing on your arm, it inflates, then deflates a little and then slowly deflates completely. You might also have to stick a probe on your finger which tests your heart rate and oxygen intake, but its just like a clothes-peg type thing but much much gentler (and padded). None of it hurts in the slightest. :smile:

Reply 5

rachd_22

OP

13

panic over. she never even tested it!

Reply 6

n0b0dy

1

although its nothing really.. i recently found out that when they take ur blood pressure they collapse your artery in the arm, so properly blocking the blood getting through right? it sounds scary although it doesnt feel that bad.. :s-smilie:

Reply 7

Illusionary

19

How is blood pressure measured?

To take a blood pressure reading, you need to be relaxed and comfortably seated, with your arm well supported. Alternatively, you can lie on an examination couch.

* A cuff that inflates is wrapped around your upper arm and kept in place with Velcro. A tube leads out of the cuff to a rubber bulb.

* Another tube leads from the cuff to a reservoir of mercury at the bottom of a vertical glass column. Whatever pressure is in the cuff is shown on the mercury column. The mercury is held within a sealed system – only air travels in the rubber tubing and the cuff.

* Air is then blown into the cuff and increasing pressure and tightening is felt on the upper arm.

* The doctor puts a stethoscope to your arm and listens to the pulse while the air is slowly let out again.

* The systolic pressure is measured when the doctor first hears the pulse.

* This sound will slowly become more distant and finally disappear.

* The diastolic pressure is measured from the moment the doctor is unable to hear the sound of the pulse.

* The blood pressure is measured in terms of millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

Basically, it's painless and absolutely nothing to worry about!

Source: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/examinations/measuringbloodpressure.htm

Reply 8

--

3

I didn't know that:

http://www.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/teaching/undergrad/projects/2003/group_03/how.html

Bit scary though, eh?

Reply 9

yellow96

15

Anybody else feel their pulse really strong in their arm as the band thingy's deflating?

Reply 10

--

3

If you read the link in my post you'll understand why. The artery in your arm collapses and then is reinflated once the pressure is released, thats why it feels so strong afterwards.

blood pressure

Related discussions

Articles for you