Blood Pressure

1. Reassure patient and place arm at heart level.

2. Place the cuff securely around the upper arm and palpating the brachial artery inflate the cuff to 20-30mmHg above the loss of pulsation.

3. Place the bell end of the stethoscope over the branchial artery and slowly deflate the cuff.

4. Systolic pressure is indicated by the return of pulsatile sounds (Korotkoff’s sounds).

5. Diastolic pressure coincides with the disappearance of the sounds.

6. As a guide, normal systolic pressure approximates to the age of Patient + 100. Diastolic pressure is normal below 100mgHg.

 

 

If BP is high this must be adjusted prior to a general anaesthetic. It would be wise to write to the GP to alter the patients medication and surgery should be delayed for at least 2 months to allow the medication to take effect.

Hypertension is defined by a systolic pressure of >160mmHg