V - How
to measure high blood pressure?
Principles
5.1 - The
most reliable method: to place a probe measuring the pressure directly
in the artery
5.2 - The most
useful method: The measure of the blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer
with a cuff
Measurement
of the blood pressure
5.3 - At rest
at the doctors
5.4 - At rest
at home, using a self-measurement device
5.5 - During a physical exercise
5.6 - Measurement
by an ambulatory monitoring of the blood pressure during 24 hours
Description of the device
5.7 - The cuff
5.8 - Method
for the measurement of the blood pressure
5.9 - The sphygmomanometer
5.5 -
During a physical exercise
 The
doctor can carry out a test of effort if his patient is sportswoman
or sportsman.
This test consists in exercising
on a flat escalator or a bicycle, and the blood pressure is usually
measured every 2 minutes. Slowly, the effort becomes intense and
thus the blood pressure increases gradually. The test of effort is
stopped if the blood pressure exceeds 250/130 millimetres of mercury.
For subjects who realize
anaerobic or isometric efforts (weight-lifting, shot-put...), particular
tests can be realized. The blood pressure is for example measured
when the patient holds an object tightly.
According to the level of the blood pressure and the cardiovascular risk factors,
the sport cannot be approved by the physician.
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last modified on : 28 sep 2003 |
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