Over 20% of people from across the globe suffer from high blood pressure, which has reached epidemic proportions. This is alarming and should be a cause for concern. High blood pressure is a chronic condition that requires lifestyle changes, constant monitoring, and dedicated consumption of blood pressure regulating drugs. To monitor and control this condition, blood pressure cuffs are necessary. Here you can find everything you need to know about blood pressure cuffs and stethoscope kits from the basics and how they work to some tips in using them and finding one to keep track of your cardiovascular health.

What Are Blood Pressure Cuffs And Stethoscope Kits?

As the name implies, a blood pressure cuff is part of a device assembly utilized to measure the pressure of blood flowing through the arteries and veins of a person. It is a standard tool used by healthcare professionals for routine medical assessments. This helps indicate a person’s health and helps identify existing health issues and the potential to develop chronic conditions in the coming years.

Different kinds of blood pressure cuffs and stethoscope kits exist in the market. All of them can be used for the same purpose, more or less. They are readily available from the office of your doctor as well as a medical supply store for home monitoring.

Blood pressure cuff or sphygmomanometer come with a design that allows for convenient use. It comes in the form of a long strap that can be wrapped around the arm of the person quickly. In this way, some pressure will be applied to the major blood vessels found in this particular part of your body. Placement of BP cuffs should be at heart level above the elbow.

An apparatus that looks like a balloon is then used to pump enough air into the cuffs. This will inflate the cuffs, so enough pressure is exerted on the veins and arteries of the person. Once the cuff has been inflated fully, the pressure will be released gradually as it deflates. The blood flow then resumes flowing normally.

For a long time, the use of traditional blood pressure cuffs and stethoscope kits requires the use of the most recommended stethoscopes for gushes of blood into the arteries to be heard. While there are still some people and healthcare professionals that rely on the traditional way of taking blood pressure, some do not rely on the combination of the BP cuff and stethoscope anymore in taking blood pressure readings.

How Does These Instruments Work?

As mentioned, most types of blood pressure cuffs require manual inflation of the device and the use the stethoscope kits. However, there are also automatic blood pressure cuffs that are easy to use and are readily available in the market. The latter is best used for blood pressure home monitoring.

Why Are They Essential For Maintaining Cardiovascular Health?

The best way to keep cardiovascular diseases and hypertension in check is always to monitor your blood pressure levels regularly. Blood pressure levels are recorded with the help of two numbers. The first one is the systolic pressure or the pressure of blood that goes away from your heart. The second one is the diastolic pressure or the pressure of blood as it returns to your heart.

Both low and high blood pressure readings denote certain health issues. If you suffer from low blood pressure, you might be experiencing sudden unconsciousness even to the point of being in a coma.

On the other hand, if you suffer from high blood pressure, it could mean that you suffer from a variety of acute or chronic disorders. These include hardening of the arterial walls, stroke, renal problems, vital organ failure, and so on.

The best way to keep these things from happening to you is to have your blood pressure levels checked regularly. This can be done by getting your own blood pressure cuffs for home monitoring. If you get consistent readings of high blood pressure levels, it would be best to seek the medical advice of your doctor. Blood pressure issues always require prompt and consistent treatment and monitoring.

Tips For Finding A Good Blood Pressure Cuff And Stethoscope Kits

With the increasing number of people suffering from high blood pressure and other blood pressure related conditions, doctors recommend having a blood pressure cuff ready at home.

A BP cuff should be an indispensable part of your home for monitoring hypotension and hypertension and basically just for safety reasons.

If you are planning to buy your own blood pressure cuff, there are a few things that you need to consider carefully. As much as possible, you have to identify what your particular needs are in a blood pressure cuff so you can find the most fitting one for you.

One of the first things that you need to consider in buying a blood pressure cuff is to decide if you should get the manual one or the automated one. Manual blood pressure cuffs are those that you place on your forearm and squeeze with a bulb to provide the necessary pressure. This is the kind that you see from hospitals and your doctor’s office.

If you have no medical background, using this kind of blood pressure cuff may be difficult for you to get accurate readings. Also, a manual blood pressure cuff is only limited to be placed on the forearm and cannot be used on other parts of the body.

An automatic blood pressure cuff, on the other hand, offers a computerized digital reading. These automatic models are both portable and lightweight. The use of this kind of blood pressure cuff can do readings not just on the forearm but also on the wrist and finger depending on the type of blood pressure cuff that you buy. This is the perfect choice for individuals who prefer a cuff that is both easy to read and easy to use.

As for the stethoscope, get a few ideas from this Welch Allyn Adult Professional Stethoscope Review. Most professionals utilize this with their sphygmomanometers.

Final Thoughts

Finally, you need to determine your price point before buying a blood pressure cuff. The amount of money that you will spend on your choice of blood pressure cuff will depend on the kind that you choose, that is, either a manual or an automated cuff.

Moreover, your choice of the manufacturer will also matter in determining the price that you will pay for this particular tool. Always consider your budget before buying your very own BP cuff. While cheap cuffs may seem tempting, going for the expensive cuffs mean you get a tool that is built better, thereby lasting you a long time.

To learn more about blood pressure cuffs and stethoscope kits, this quick video might help you: