Physical Principle Of Operation Of An Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor

Automatic blood pressure (bp) monitors are an integral part of any vital signs monitor used in hospitals, critical care units, emergency rooms, and even homes. The reason is quite simple - While an EKG can give the representation of the electric signals in the heart muscle, the oximeter can give the oxygen content of the blood in the body, only the bp monitor is actually capable of measuring the actual effectiveness of the heart pumping blood into the system.

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The importance of blood pressure measurement

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In other words, both the EKG and the oximeter could be showing normal values, yet, without the proper blood pressure sensor reading, the patient's body cells would still not be receiving an amount of oxygen sufficient for normal functioning. Which means, the life of a patient would be endangered without us knowing.

Manual blood pressure meter

Before we look into the workings of an automatic meter, let's investigate how a manual blood pressure monitor, or NIBP monitor, or high blood pressure bp monitor works. The meter consists of the bp cuff that is filled with air gradually and presses on the main artery in the upper arm. The basic physics of the pressure meter reflects the interplay between the air pressure in the cuff and the air pressure in the artery. There are two principal pressures, the systolic, and the diastolic in the artery. The systolic is the maximal pressure in the artery, and the diastolic is the minimal pressure.

The simple principle of operation is this: When the cuff air pressure is higher than the systolic pressure, the cuff continually squeezes the artery until the blood flow into the lower arm is stopped, and there is no pulsation audible in the stethoscope. When the cuff air pressure is less than the diastolic pressure, the artery pressure always maintains the artery at its full size. In between these two pressures, the expansion and contraction of the artery follows the varying bp in the artery, and the pulsation is audible in the stethoscope attached to the arm.

So, in manual bp monitors, as the manual blood pressure cuff the air pressure is gradually increased up to the diastolic pressure, we begin to hear pulsation, and by further increasing the cuff air pressure we come to the higher, systolic pressure point, where the pulsation disappears again.

How does an automatic blood pressure (bp) monitor work?

The action of an automatic digital bp monitor is quite analogous to the operation of the manual pressure meter with a couple of differences:
First, for speed, automatic digital bp monitor will measure the diastolic pressure and the systolic pressure already on the first pass, while increasing the air pressure in the cuff. Second, the air will be provided to the digital bp cuff by an electric pump instead of the manual pump. Third, the pulsation will not be observed by hearing but rather by the built in microphones or other sensor types.

Physical Principle Of Operation Of An Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor

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Herbal Remedies for High Blood Pressure - Are They Effective?

Herbal remedies for high blood pressure have been debated whether they are effective solutions or not. Reducing the level of pressure is very important because the health of a person is greatly affected. Some say that natural remedies through herbs are a good method to reduce hypertension. Let's discuss more of this matter to see if herbal remedies are really effective in reducing high blood pressure.

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People who strongly believe that natural methods such as the use of herbal remedies for high blood pressure are the best solution have valid explanation. They argue that scientifically designed medicines are not very effective in the reduction of blood pressure. In fact, they provide more problems because of the side effects that can occur. You get to have mood swings, fatigue, insomnia and even dry mouth. For this reason, they look at natural methods as a great remedy instead.

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Well, herbs are known and proven to be very beneficial in one way or another. They typically reduce hypertension because of their properties that help stimulate the flow and circulation of blood. They also contribute in making the heart pump blood in an efficient manner.

The question now is what are good examples of herbal remedies for lowering hypertension? Herbs that are found in your garden, on the market and anywhere you go are the best examples to take. This means that any herbs can help reduce high blood pressure. However, what you must be concerned about the most is the amount of herbs to take. To be sure, you consult a physician and ask the right amount of herbs to take. How much do you need to consume herbal plants? How many glasses of natural teas do you need to drink? These are examples of questions to consult with your doctor.

The best thing about herbal remedies is the lack of side effects. There is no known risk in taking this into consideration. The fact that you can get benefit from it is enough reason to persuade you to opt for it.

If you like to reduce the high pressure of blood and maintain it at a regular level, you must include the intake of herbs. Herbal remedies for high blood pressure can definitely help you make it possible to reduce your pressure levels. Thus, you must make it a habit to do this regularly so you can have a better health and longer life.

Herbal Remedies for High Blood Pressure - Are They Effective?

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Aspirin for High Blood Pressure - The Risks and Benefits

A lot of people take aspirin for high blood pressure every day to prevent the negative effects of hypertension. Many users have experienced success with the daily aspirin therapy over the years, that's why it continues to be one of the leading options available for hypertensive patients. But while this revolutionary drug provides several health advantages, it does have some drawbacks that you need to be cautious of. To discover the various risks and benefits involved with this type of remedy, go ahead and read the list provided below.

Possible Risks of Aspirin for High Blood Pressure

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Even though the aspirin drug is incredibly useful in preventing hypertension and other undesirable conditions, there are still a few side effects involved. Most people don't encounter harmful effects when they take the drug in small amounts, but when a higher dosage is used, that's when the risks take place. Here are the general drawbacks that one may experience with this therapy:

· Allergies - this is very rare, but if you're actually allergic to aspirin, some serious reactions may occur if you take the drug without precaution. This is why consulting your doctor is very crucial so as to avoid these unfortunate situations.

· Internal bleeding and risk of having a stomach ulcer - the drug is also known to cause bleeding in the internal organs, particularly in the stomach. This is why people with ulcers are often advised not to adopt the daily aspirin therapy so as not to trigger complications.

· Problems in breathing - some patients who have asthma and take aspirin for high blood pressure at the same time may have trouble breathing properly.

· Risk of getting a bleeding stroke - although aspirin is capable of averting a stroke caused by blood clotting, unfortunately it can increase your chances of developing a bleeding or hemorrhagic stroke.

Other serious complications may take place if you go with this therapy without your doctor's proper consent and recommendation. Once again, seek a medical consultation in order to prevent these side effects.

Benefits of Taking Aspirin for Hypertension

Now that you're aware of the risks, it's time to learn more about the good side of this drug. Below are the numerous advantages you may possibly experience when you take aspirin according to your physician's instructions:

· Decrease the risk of developing a heart condition

· Decrease the risk of developing high blood pressure

· Lower your blood pressure effectively

· Prevent a first and second heart attack

· Prevent a first stroke

Clearly, consuming this drug regularly brings several benefits. It doesn't only avert the occurrence of hypertension, but it also reduces your chances of acquiring painful conditions like strokes and heart attacks. You might want to consider this type of remedy especially if you're hypertensive.

Aspirin is usually safe and ideal to use against hypertension. Otherwise, it would never be recommended by medical experts worldwide. And just like any other medical therapy, it does have a few drawbacks that you need to be aware of. However, with careful application along with your doctor's professional advice, you should be able to prevent these risks successfully and experience the good side of the daily aspirin therapy. So go ahead and see your doctor today to find out if taking up aspirin for high blood pressure is recommended for you.

Aspirin for High Blood Pressure - The Risks and Benefits

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High Blood Pressure Management

In the present economy and job pressure, people have no time to spend for their body. Their eating habits have changes. Due to all these reason people are suffering from high Blood Pressure, heart disease. Here are the few tips of deep breathing to get manage the high blood pressure.

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1. Keep a habit to get up early in the morning at 5 am and select the place where you breath fresh air.

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2. Seat on the woolen made carpet so that you body energy can't get transfer into the earth while you are performing, breathing techniques.

3. Start taking deep breathing for one to five minute (suit to your health condition) and take some break for a while.

5. After some rest you can start different breathing techniques like inhale/exhale technique which benefits you. (you can get the details to perform breathing and using various websites)

Using the doing such things, you needs to monitor the blood pressure level in the evening. It will definitely gives you good result by practicing it on regular bases for one to five minute. There are many people taking the benefits from the breathing techniques world over. It is one of the most efficient way to manage the high blood pressure and many other diseases to get positive effect. While practicing, breathing techniques, you needs to continue the routine medicine and get the suggestion from your physician. Once you reaches at the level than take the suggestion of your doctor to reduce the doses as suggested by the physician.

High Blood Pressure Management

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How to Lower Blood Pressure Quickly - 3 Steps to Lower Your Blood Pressure Quickly

Hypertension develops over many years of being deficient in a healthy diet and lifestyle habits. The good news amidst such gloom is that there are ways how to lower blood pressure quickly.

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A note of caution: You must not expect the following methods to lower blood pressure fast to have a permanent effect on your condition. The effects are temporary at best. If you want to make their impact permanent, more or less, you must adopt these methods on a regular, proper and consistent basis.

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Your first answer to the question of how to reduce blood pressure quickly is to engage in vigorous aerobic exercise. Any cardiovascular exercise like brisk walking, jogging or bicycling can quickly lower blood pressure by a few points. You will then be able to regain your sense of equilibrium.

Exercise as a way to lower hypertension fast can be incorporated on a regular basis into your lifestyle. Don't even think about giving the excuse that time is scarce in your busy professional career and social life. Short bursts of exercise when done daily can have a positive impact on hypertension even when it means simple things like taking the stairs or walking the remaining blocks to the office.

And while you are at this first of top three ways how to lower blood pressure quickly, you might as well sneak in a few relaxation techniques. Take deep breaths, think positive thoughts and even visualize your hypertension going down.

But when exercise is out of the equation at the moment, you can stash a few foods proven to lower hypertension fast in your bag. We are talking about dark chocolate, garlic and bananas, among others.

Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that dilate blood vessels but make sure to eat just a small portion - about 30 calories per day will do. Garlic has long been known to lower blood pressure levels while bananas are rich in potassium, which helps in maintaining healthy blood vessels.

The last effective way how to lower blood pressure quickly is to drink water. Yes, proper hydration is important as its opposite - dehydration - causes hypertension to rise like a rocket.

You must drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, more during hot days or during exercise. And do eliminate those caffeine-laden drinks as these can dehydrate the body.

How to Lower Blood Pressure Quickly - 3 Steps to Lower Your Blood Pressure Quickly

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What Are the High Cortisol Symptoms?

People get a lot of stress on a daily basis. The more tension you experience, the higher will be the cortisol. Cortisol is the stress hormone found in your body. Medical tests would tell you the level of cortisol present in the blood. However, you can determine if you already have so much of the stress hormones if you know the right high cortisol symptoms. It is very important to know if you have high level of cortisols to prevent other associated health conditions including the Cushing's syndrome. Some of the most noticeable symptoms include weight gain particularly in the abdomen, immune system weakening, stomach ulcer, and even signs of advanced aging as well.

That is why it is very important to relieve yourself from stress from time to time to avoid experiencing these high cortisol symptoms. But this stress does not only include the emotional strains that you can have. This is covers the pressure that you get from your environment particularly in your workplace. If you are getting this anxiety consistently, the cortisol levels will increase constantly at the same time. You might have a hard time taking out that bulging stomach as a result of stress.

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You should also be conscious if you think that you are experiencing the high cortisol symptoms mentioned before. If there is a rapid increase in the cortisol level, it may lead to a more serious health condition which is called as the Cushing's Syndrome. Both men and women may have this condition although the effects are quite different. Men who are experiencing this may notice that they do not have the sex drive that they used to have. Women on the other hand will get irregular periods and increased growth of hair on the face. But both genders can have elevated blood pressure due to this condition. Purple to pink stretch marks will also start to appear in their body specifically at the abdomen area. There is also a big chance that they would easily feel worn out, change of mood from time to time, and depression.

If you feel like you are experiencing the high cortisol symptoms then it would better if you let a doctor check your cortisol level. But it would be helpful to let the healthcare specialist know the different factors that may cause you to be stressed prior to the testing such as your work, your lifestyle, diet, and other physical issues.

What Are the High Cortisol Symptoms?

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Moist Wound Healing - The Basics

Before we move on to the details of moist wound healing it is better if the definition of a wound and its classification is detailed first.

To describe a wound there are multiple ways. A wound is described either by its aetiology, anatomical location, if it is acute or chronic, the method of closure required, by the symptoms that it presents, by what predominant tissue types can be seen in the wound bed, wound depth, tissue loss or clinical appearance of the wound.

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However for Pressure Ulcers (EPUAP), Burns (Rule of Nines), Diabetic Foot Ulcers (Wagner / San Antonio) and General Wounds there are separate grading tools or mechanisms that are used.

A wound can generally be classified as being:

- Superficial. This is where the person has only suffered loss of epidermis.

- Partial thickness. This is where the wound involves both loss of epidermis and the dermis.

- Full thickness. This is where the wound involves involve loss of the dermis, subcutaneous fat and maybe the bone.

These definitions are not just for symbolic purposes but they are critical in assessing and appropriately managing the wound in the course of symptom resolution or, if possible, healing.

If we really want to define a wound then by definition a wound can be said to be a breakdown in the skins protective function. This includes loss of epithelium continuity, with or without the loss of the underlying connective tissue (bones, muscles, nerves).

Healing of a wound is done by primary intention or secondary intention. This depends upon if the wound is closed with sutures or left to repair. Tissues damaged in the process are reconstructed by formation of connective tissue and re-growth of epithelium.

If surveyed we will find the commonly the method for classification of wound that is used is by identifying the predominant tissue types present at the wound bed. This is a visual classification method and is popular as it supports a good assessment and planning. This method also helps with continuous reassessment.

Moist Wound Healing is a method that is now days challenging the common physiological process that is used for 'repairing' a wound in other words called 'dry healing' (evident by formation of a scab).

Studies have backed and proved the fact that in conditions that are moist occlusive / semi-occlusive, epithelialisation takes place at a rate that is twice the rate when compared with one in dry conditions. The way to carry out moist wound healing is by using advanced wound care dressings.

Please note that wet environment can also be detrimental as this could lead to maceration and tissue breakdown. What should be noted is that moist wound healing is not right for all types of wounds and should be done only in consultation with a doctor.

Moist Wound Healing - The Basics

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How Can I Prevent Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?

Before we look at ways to prevent hypertension (High Blood Pressure) we need to understand what hypertension is.

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What is Hypertension?

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Hypertension is a condition which arises when blood is putting a higher than normal pressure on the arteries which in turn puts more stress on the body. Your heart has to work harder now to get the blood pumped through those arteries, causing your heart to enlarge which over time damages it and leads to heart attacks, stroke, aneurysm and other heart related illnesses.

A normal blood pressure level is below 120/80. A BP between 120/80 and 139/89 is called prehypertension and a blood pressure level of 140/90 or above is what is considered hypertension. Hypertension is categorized as either essential or secondary.

Essential Hypertension is a term that is used when the cause of high blood pressure is unknown.

Secondary Hypertension is a term used when the cause of high blood pressure is known such as a direct result of kidney disease or birth control pills.

Over 90% of High Blood Pressure Sufferers including minors have Essential Hypertension.

How Can I Prevent Hypertension? Stress- main contributor.

There are many things which you can do to prevent hypertension, amongst them being a healthy diet, losing weight if you are overweight, limiting your alcohol intake and exercising. Managing Stress is what we are going to look at into more detail in this article. It is important to  keep yourself on the healthy path once you have successfully managed to bring down your blood pressure and controlling stress is a sure way of achieving this.

One of the best ways to prevent hypertension is to control stress. All of us have stress in our daily lives, it is something that we cannot prevent but it is something that we can manage and control. There are hundreds of studies done that accurately show that lowering our stress levels will keep our blood pressure low. One method of doing that is through exercise -- because not only does it strengthen your heart, it has the dual effect of reducing your stress levels.

Begin an exercise routine today and stick to it daily, whether this is a 25-30 minute walk, or bicycle ride or even running. Another helpful technique to control stress and thus preventing hypertension is through YOGA or Tai Chi. All of these concentrate on proper breathing combined with mild muscle exercising which can help us relax and distress our bodies.

Any chance you get to play with your kids or chasing your pet around your backyard - it all helps relieve stress from our bodies. Did you know that generally pet owners have a low blood pressure? That's because pets have a magical way to help lower your blood pressure - even the act of petting an animal can help lower your blood pressure.

These are just the basics you need to know about the how you can prevent hypertension and to better educate yourself to a more healthier life. However I hope that you are interested enough to know more and how to treat it successfully. Just as family doctors can't look after you 100% all the time if they are completely unaware of your everyday living, so you can't interpret their advice properly if you are completely ignorant of the nature of your high blood pressure and what can and cannot be done about it with natural remedies or drug treatments. If not your alternative is to let doctors make the decisions for you without your help or informed consent for the rest of your life.

For those that want to take learning a step further visit the link below and begin to take control of your health.

How Can I Prevent Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?

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High Diastolic Blood Pressure - Facts About Diastolic High Blood Pressure

In medical circles, high diastolic blood pressure level is defined as the above-normal blood pressure exerted by the heart and, consequently, by the blood on the arterial walls, between resting periods. You may be confused with such a technical definition but the diastolic level is the second number provided for in a blood pressure reading. For example, if you are told that your hypertension level is 120/80, the number 80 is your diastolic reading.

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Take note that 120/80 mm-Hg reading is considered the standard for a healthy hypertension level. Any number higher than 120 for systolic and 80 for diastolic is considered potentially hypertensive. As an example, a high diastolic blood pressure level of 90-99 is considered Stage 1 hypertension if the systolic level is at 140 to 159 mm-Hg. For diastolic readings of 100 mm-Hg or higher, you now have Stage 2 hypertension.

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But don't immediately fall into despair should your diastolic reading reach 90 mm-Hg as these numbers can vary within the day. In fact, hypertension level are highly volatile so much so that happy news and sad news can affect them. Exercise, stress and diet also temporarily affect hypertension level.

So, when you have a high diastolic blood pressure level for a single reading, you can relax and put it into perspective. You may have just been through a stressful period in life that raised your hypertension readings. Besides, hypertension develops over time, not within a single day.

If you are afraid that you may be at risk for hypertension because of successive high diastolic blood pressure readings, your best bet is to seek your doctor's opinion first. You need not worry yourself too much. There may be factors causing such readings, which may or may not be readily resolved. But until then, keep your cool.

Seeking medical consultation is a highly recommended step in successive high diastolic hypertension level readings for another reason. When it is left untreated, you can suffer from health risks including stroke, heart attacks, neurological disorders and renal complications. You definitely want to avoid these illnesses by seeking treatment as soon as possible.

High Diastolic Blood Pressure - Facts About Diastolic High Blood Pressure

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High Blood Pressure Diets

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension and HBP, is related to excess body weight. Losing some weight can prove to be very effective at lowering your blood pressure. Everyone who is suffering from this disease should keep a close eye on their diet. An effective diet should not raise the pressure in your blood and should work towards lowering it.

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Aside from your prescription medications and exercises, a good diet can help just as much at controlling your disease. By following a good diet, you will prevent your arteries from being clogged with fat thus reducing the strain your vessels are put under while blood is pumped through them and as an added benefit, you will lose weight. Your diet should consist of low fat and low salt products and should contain fruits and vegetables that have a high potassium content.

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Frozen vegetables are good as well. However, be sure to pick the ones that have little to no salt. Try limiting the cured meats you eat. Other foods to avoid include ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, pickles and olives.

Hypertension kills you without a warning. HBP wreaks hell on your heart, kidneys and can damage your brain if you do not keep it under control. It is essential that you maintain a proper diet so that your HBP is under control. Most of the diets you find online tell you to just watch the amount of sodium you eat. It is good advice, but you also need to increase the amount of potassium you eat. It is good at controlling hypertension thus you need to consume more of it.

If you follow the advice I gave you, I am certain that you will be able to lower your pressure by about 10 points. This is typically enough for most sufferers of this disease. If you are taking medications to have your disease under control, you are able to do minor lifestyle and diet changes so you don't have to depend on your medications. Losing a couple of pounds and diet changes are just two of them.

High Blood Pressure Diets

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Is Your Tire Pressure Gauge Accurate?

I often talk about the importance of checking the inflation pressure in tires, but is your tire pressure gauge giving you accurate information?

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An RVer said, "I understand that tire pressure in an RV is crucial and can cause serious problems if not inflated correctly. Well, the problem is this, how do you know if the tire gauge is accurate? I have seen two tire gauges show as much as 16 psi difference on the same tire. Is there a recommendation as to which tire gauges are the most accurate?"

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What's funny about this is for many years, as a Maintenance Warrant Officer in the Army, I was responsible for tool calibration programs. Certain tools required regular calibration to ensure accuracy. I use a quality tire pressure gauge, but after reading this question realized that after several years of using this gauge I have never had it checked for accuracy.

Many of the really inexpensive gauges () you can purchase can't be calibrated, and if the reading is inaccurate the gauge is worthless. This is why you should spend a little more (-) and get a quality pressure gauge that can be calibrated. I am a real believer in the old saying; you get what you pay for.

If you have any doubt about the accuracy of your tire pressure gauge there are a couple things you can do to check it.

1) You can check the air pressure in a tire with the gauge in question and then check the same tire with another gauge. If there is a significant difference in the readings (4 or more psi) between the two gauges one or both gauges may be inaccurate. If both gauges read within 1 to 2 psi of each other the gauges are more than likely accurate.

2) If you want a more precise method for checking the accuracy take the gauge to a local tire dealer or fleet truck maintenance facility and ask them to check it using a master gauge. A master gauge is a gauge that is certified to be accurate. But I caution you there are lots of tire dealers who don't have their own tire pressure gauges calibrated.

Note: Don't depend on pressure gauges at gas stations to be accurate. These are usually abused and neglected, raising concern over accuracy.

There are several different types of pressure gauges available on the market. One important thing to keep in mind is the pressure the gauge is rated for. Most automobile tires are inflated to around 32 psi, so a 0 to 60 psi gauge is sufficient. On the other hand some motorhome tires are inflated to 100 or more psi. It is important, for accuracy and to prevent damage to the gauge, that you get the right gauge for the job. A general rule of thumb is to find a gauge that can read double what the inflation pressure is set at. This isn't always possible especially with tires inflated to 100 psi, so find a gauge rated for high pressure, like 160 psi.

Possibly the most common type of pressure gauge is the plunge or pencil type. Some of these are calibrated and some of the cheaper ones are not. As a general rule a common plunge type gauge you would purchase will be accurate to + or - 3 psi when it is new. The accuracy of these type gauges are also affected by temperature, humidity and altitude.

Note: Always check the tire pressure when the tires are cold, before traveling. If you check the tires when they are hot you will get a false (higher) reading and if you let air out of the tires they can be seriously underinflated when they are cold.

Like everything else these days' things are switching from analog to digital. Analog tire pressure gauges were the standard for many years, but advancements in digital technology have improved on that standard. Analog dial gauges are about as accurate as the quality pencil type gauges. In numerous tests comparing different type gauges digital gauges were the most accurate tested.

Regardless of the type of gauge you choose there are high quality and low quality gauges available. Buying a cheap digital gauge would be the same as buying a cheap pencil type gauge. Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to tire pressure gauges.

1) Spend a few more dollars and get a quality pressure gauge.

2) If the gauge will be used for checking dual wheels on a motorhome the chuck end of the gauge should have a dual foot design to make the job much easier.

3) Always select a gauge rated higher than the inflation pressure of the tires you are checking. Applying more pressure than the gauge is rated for can damage the gauge and affect the accuracy. If you over-pressure a gauge have it tested for accuracy.

4) Try not to drop or jar the gauge. Store the gauge in some type of protective covering or case and in an area where it won't be hit or damaged.

5) Periodically have the gauge tested for accuracy. At a minimum compare it to another quality gauge to see if both read the same, or close to the same pressure.

6) Most importantly, once you purchase a quality pressure gauge use it on a regular basis to check your RV and automobile tires.

Remember, properly inflated tires are safer, extend the life of the tires, improve fuel efficiency and lessen the chance of unexpected and premature tire failure.

Happy Camping,

Mark Polk

Copyright 2009 by Mark J. Polk founder of RV Education 101

Is Your Tire Pressure Gauge Accurate?

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