Are there any other tips for obtaining accurate and reliable blood pressure readings?
The cuff should be maintained as close to the level of the right atrium as possible. Because of gravity, placing it higher than this will produce a lower reading, and placing it lower will produce a higher reading. Thus, lateral recumbency is the ideal position, although a cuff on the base of the tail on a cat can be maintained at heart level while in your lap (or the owners’). When wrapping the cuff, use the “Goldilocks” approach: not too tight, not too loose. If it’s too tight, the cuff itself will occlude venous return , rather than the inflation of the cuff and it will result in a false low reading. A cuff that is too loose will give a false high reading or will it will come apart at the Velcro as it is inflated. Although the blood pressure technology is designed to operate with some artifact, take care to keep the animal warm and calm to prevent shivering (shudder and movement will stop the determination cycle). Finally, consistency is very important so be sure to record not only
