It is not about just getting any number, it is about getting the right number!

Do you know your BP numbers? Do you know they are right? Sadly most people don’t.

Fortunately, our resources below will help you learn everything you need to know about BP Measurements!

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We have heard the message clearly and repeatedly from hypertension thought leaders.  Dr Norman Kaplan reflected in 2007 that the measurement of BP is “likely the clinical procedure of greatest importance that is done in the sloppiest manner”.

Dr C.E. Grim has been even more pointed in the observation and statement that “the single most important skill you will learn in your medical career is accurate BP measurement.  Do it right and you will help more people than with anything else you do.  Do it inaccurately and you will harm more people. There is no way to shortcut the mastery of this skill as the strongest link in the chain of community BP control.” 

Knowledge Points

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BP Measurement Certification

CIC/WHAG BP Measurement Handbook

Navigate using the arrows to learn more

The 2020 CIC Blood Pressure Measurement Handbook is the practical companion to Module VI on BP measurement, and represents an update and revision of the manual for the blood pressure measurement specialist certification program

The most recent updated and revised 2020 iteration is to supplement the CIC/WHAG comprehensive multilevel reference for medical mission groups focused on hypertension in low-resource venues

For this reason, despite growing recommendations for the use of automated BP measurement devices in LIMC, the handbook offers continued educational resources for the use of auscultatory and manual devices in areas not yet able to make the transition to automated approaches whether due to financial constraints or the lack of reliable electrical power.

Access Handbook

BP Measurement Resources

SEVEN STEPS FOR ACCURATE BP MEASUREMENT IN BOTH ARMS

HOW TO ACCURATELY MEASURE BP USING MANUAL DEVICES

Step #1

Position patient with feet on floor, arm supported on table at heart level, palm up, and sleeves rolled up 

Step #2

Choose a cuff that covers 80-100% of the circumference of the arm in length, and 40% in width 

Step #3

Apply cuff to arm snugly with the center directly over the brachial artery and the bottom one inch above the elbow crease 

Step #4

Feel for the radial pulse and inflate the cuff.  Note when the radial pulse can no longer be felt 

Step #5

Wait 15 seconds, and find the brachial pulse. Place the stethoscope over the pulse, not touching the cuff.  Alternative is to document automated cuff placement above the brachial pulse. 

Step #6

A. Auscultatory/ manual technique: Rapidly inflate cuff about 30 mm Hg above previously noted point and deflate at about 2-3 mm Hg per second

B. Automated and Semi-automated technique: just push the button!  

Step #7

Auscultatory/ manual technique: Listen for the Korotkoff sound, a short tapping noise and note when it begins (Systolic BP) and when the Korotkoff sounds disappear (Diastolic BP).  Continue to listen for 10 mm Hg after presumed diastolic pressure 

Reputable Sources

Technical Specs-Automated BP Devices

World Health Organization

Learn More

Journal of Hypertension

National Insititute of Health

Learn More

Video Resources 

Why BP Screening Matters

WHY BP SCREENING MATTERS-World Hypertension League- done by Tej Khalsa MD.  

Why bp screening matters (portugese)

WHY BP SCREENING MATTERS via The World Hypertension League (Portuguese Language)- World Hypertension League.- done by Tej Khalsa MD.

screening for hypertension

Screening for Hypertension: How to Best Measure Blood Pressure-World Hypertension League-done by Tej Khalsa MD.

how to take a manual bp measurement

How to take a manual BP measurement (mandarin subtitles)- May Measurement Month.(MMM)

Lyne Cloutier RN, PhD

Lyne Cloutier RN, PhD

Co-Chair of the WHL committee on BP Measurement and Screening

Lyne Cloutier RN, PhD was Co-Chair of the WHL committee on BP Measurement and Screening, and is an international hypertension leader from the Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres, and received the 2017 Distinguished Service Award from Hypertension Canada. 

A well-published nurse educator, with tremendous insight as to the importance of allied health professionals and nurses to the team effort, Lyne has done excellent videos on accurate BP measurement using automatic technique in French, and Haitian Creole. 

these are highly recommended as easily accessed and understood basic training that assures adequate and consistent demonstrated quality by all members of the team.   

The video presents recommendations for measuring blood pressure. Directed by Anthony & Lyne Cloutier in Haiti at Baptiste with Dr. Kenerson. (video is in Creole)

Knowledge Points

2020 BP MEASUREMENT DEVICE OPTIONS.

Classic manual/ auscultation

Semi-automated

Automated upper arm (not forearm, wrist, or finger)

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement (ABPM)

Automated Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (HBPM)

Usual automated office/clinic blood pressure measurement

Automated Office BP Measurement (AOBPM)

Central BP Measurement (CBPM), +/- ABPM

Pan American Health Organization

Virtual Course on accurate automated blood pressure measurement (2020)

September 2020 marked the release of a brief online certification course for measuring blood pressure with automated Blood pressure devices. This video course was developed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in collaboration with the World Hypertension League (WHL), the Lancet Commission on Hypertension Group, Hypertension Canada and Resolve to Save Lives. A knowledge assessment test allows for certification as administered by PAHO, available through clicking the button below.

Learn More

Knowledge Points

i

BP Measurement Certification

CIC/WHAG BP Measurement Handbook

Navigate using the arrows to learn more

The 2020 CIC Blood Pressure Measurement Handbook is the practical companion to Module VI on BP measurement, and represents an update and revision of the manual for the blood pressure measurement specialist certification program

The most recent updated and revised 2020 iteration is to supplement the CIC/WHAG comprehensive multilevel reference for medical mission groups focused on hypertension in low-resource venues

For this reason, despite growing recommendations for the use of automated BP measurement devices in LIMC, the handbook offers continued educational resources for the use of auscultatory and manual devices in areas not yet able to make the transition to automated approaches whether due to financial constraints or the lack of reliable electrical power.

Access Handbook

BP Measurement Resources

SEVEN STEPS FOR ACCURATE BP MEASUREMENT IN BOTH ARMS

Navigate the slider to access content

Step #1

Position patient with feet on floor, arm supported on table at heart level, palm up, and sleeves rolled up 

Step #2

Choose a cuff that covers 80-100% of the circumference of the arm in length, and 40% in width 

Step #3

Apply cuff to arm snugly with the center directly over the brachial artery and the bottom one inch above the elbow crease 

Step #4

Feel for the radial pulse and inflate the cuff.  Note when the radial pulse can no longer be felt 

Step #5

Wait 15 seconds, and find the brachial pulse. Place the stethoscope over the pulse, not touching the cuff.  Alternative is to document automated cuff placement above the brachial pulse. 

Step #6

A. Auscultatory/ manual technique: Rapidly inflate cuff about 30 mm Hg above previously noted point and deflate at about 2-3 mm Hg per second

B. Automated and Semi-automated technique: just push the button!  

Step #7

Auscultatory/ manual technique: Listen for the Korotkoff sound, a short tapping noise and note when it begins (Systolic BP) and when the Korotkoff sounds disappear (Diastolic BP).  Continue to listen for 10 mm Hg after presumed diastolic pressure 

Reputable Sources

Technical Specs-Automated BP Devices

World Health Organization

Learn More

Journal of Hypertension

National Insititute of Health

Learn More

Video Resources 

Why BP Screening Matters

WHY BP SCREENING MATTERS-World Hypertension League- done by Tej Khalsa MD.  

Why bp screening matters (portugese)

WHY BP SCREENING MATTERS via The World Hypertension League (Portuguese Language)- World Hypertension League.- done by Tej Khalsa MD.

screening for hypertension

Screening for Hypertension: How to Best Measure Blood Pressure-World Hypertension League-done by Tej Khalsa MD.

how to take a manual bp measurement

How to take a manual BP measurement (mandarin subtitles)- May Measurement Month.(MMM)

Lyne Cloutier RN, PhD

Co-Chair of the WHL committee on BP Measurement and Screening

Lyne Cloutier RN, PhD was Co-Chair of the WHL committee on BP Measurement and Screening, and is an international hypertension leader from the Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres, and received the 2017 Distinguished Service Award from Hypertension Canada. 

A well-published nurse educator, with tremendous insight as to the importance of allied health professionals and nurses to the team effort, Lyne has done excellent videos on accurate BP measurement using automatic technique in French, and Haitian Creole. 

these are highly recommended as easily accessed and understood basic training that assures adequate and consistent demonstrated quality by all members of the team.   

The video presents recommendations for measuring blood pressure. Directed by Anthony & Lyne Cloutier in Haiti at Baptiste with Dr. Kenerson. (video is in Creole)