Is it possible to measure blood pressure without a device? | Blood pressure – How do I measure it correctly?

Is it possible to measure blood pressure without a device?

Without special aids it is not yet possible to measure blood pressure. The only circulation parameter that can be measured without a device is the pulse, for which only a watch with a second hand is needed. In order to measure the pulse, one must first find it.

This is best done on the wrist or neck. Usually you place your index and middle finger on the spot where the pulse can be felt and count the number of pulse beats for 60 seconds. It is not recommended to count the pulse beats for a shorter time and then multiply the number of beats, because in some cases the heart can beat irregularly (arrythmia) and the calculated pulse rate would be inaccurate.

Since the heart rate can be influenced by many different factors, such as physical activity, mental tension or body position, it is best to measure the pulse at rest and lying down. After heavy physical exertion, you should wait a few minutes before measuring your heart rate until it has stabilized. The resting pulse of an adult is 60 to 80 beats per minute.

Is the measurement already possible with a mobile phone or an app?

The actual blood pressure measurement is still not possible with an app or mobile phone. Although some apps claim that they can measure blood pressure via the mobile phone camera, this is an estimation method that only provides very inaccurate values and should therefore not be used for proper blood pressure measurement. It is therefore recommended to continue to use a classic blood pressure monitor for measuring blood pressure.

However, there are now apps in which you can enter your daily blood pressure values. So they have a kind of diary function and help to keep an overview and detect changes at an early stage. Most of them additionally create diagrams from the entered values, so that you can visualize your values and have them clearly arranged.

Such functions seem quite banal at first, but it has already been proven in various studies that blood pressure apps help patients to better understand and control their own illness, high blood pressure, and thus lead a healthier life. Some apps also give tips and advice on diet and exercise and help to plan and monitor daily medication intake. They can thus support the user in all areas and make it easier to manage the disease in everyday life.

Is it possible to measure blood pressure during exercise?

It is not possible to take a meaningful and accurate blood pressure measurement directly during sports activities, as there are no suitable devices available for this purpose. Only the pulse, the heart rate, can be measured during the training by means of pulse belts which are tightened around the chest. However, if you want to know how sport changes your own blood pressure, it is sufficient to measure your blood pressure directly before and after the sport with the help of common measuring devices at home. This gives you an idea of how your blood pressure changes in the short term. If you write down these values over a longer period of time, you can also record how it changes in the long term as a result of doing sport.