How to Monitor Blood Pressure At Home

Frequent periodic blood pressure (BP) readings at the doctor’s office might not be sufficient for millions of people with hypertension. Health organizations advise people with hypertension to check their readings more frequently at home.

Home monitoring and BP goals

Monitoring blood pressure at home can assist in directing your treatments by indicating whether your medications are adequate or an alternative course of action is required. According to various studies, those who kept track of their blood pressure at home were more likely to meet their objectives of lowering their BP than those who just had their doctor check it during an outpatient visit.

The monitoring is beneficial for anyone who has HBP (hypertension) or is at risk of it, especially those with diabetes or kidney infection. If your levels tend to fluctuate, you might also want to think about taking your blood pressure at home. Your doctor can better manage your BP by precisely accounting for the variations.

Using a home blood pressure monitor

1. Stay still. Before taking your blood pressure, wait 30 minutes and avoid smoking, caffeine, and strenuous activity. Before taking measurements, be careful to empty your bladder and get five minutes of quiet rest.

2. Correct posture: Sit with your back supported and straight (on a long chair rather than a sofa). Your legs shouldn’t be crossed, and your feet should be flat on the ground. Your upper arm should be at heart level and supported on a flat surface (like a table). Ensure that the bottom of the cuff is positioned just above the elbow’s bend. You can find how to sit in the correct posture in the instruction manual or ask your doctor to walk you through it.

3. Measure at the same time every day: The readings should be taken at the same time, preferably in the morning or evening. It is advisable to start taking the readings two weeks after a change in treatment and during the week exactly before your next check-up. Daily readings are preferable.

4. Record results for multiple readings: Take two or three readings every time you measure, spaced one minute apart, and use a tracker that can be printed (PDF) to record the data. Bring your monitor to your appointments if it has built-in memory for storing your readings. After registering your profile, some monitors might also permit you to upload your lessons to a secure website.

5. Try not to measure BP while wearing clothing: There is no consequential dissimilarity in the recorded BP when it is recorded over the sleeve or a bare arm; however, clothing can impact the reading, depending upon the thickness of the sleeve.

What are optimum readings?

Understand the meaning of the numbers in your blood pressure readings. Systolic pressure is the number on the top, which refers to the pressure exerted by your blood when the heart pumps. The diastolic pressure, or the pressure between heartbeats while the heart is at rest, is shown in the bottom number. You should see a doctor if your diastolic pressure is consistently below 80 and your systolic pressure is always beyond 130. They will aid you in identifying the dietary and lifestyle modifications required to maintain your health.

Note: A doctor’s confirmation is required before a diagnosis of HBP is made. A doctor should evaluate any values of blood pressure that seem extremely low. Over some time, uncontrolled HBP can lead to several health issues. Heart disorders, vision issues, strokes, and kidney diseases are a few of these conditions. However, making little lifestyle adjustments like giving up smoking and exercising every day will help lower your blood pressure. Additionally, you should consume less sodium and salt.

What to do if your blood pressure readings are high?

1. A single high reading may not necessarily indicate a problem. Take your BP a few more times and speak with a healthcare provider if you notice that blood pressure is slightly or significantly higher than usual to determine whether there is a health risk or whether there may be a problem with your monitor.

2. Wait five minutes before retaking the test if your blood pressure readings suddenly surpass 180/120 mmHg. Contact your doctor right away if your readings are still unusually high. You might be going through a hypertensive emergency.

3. Do not wait to see whether your BP decreases on its own if it is higher than 180/120 mm Hg. Symptoms of this indicate organ damage, such as chest pain, breathing difficulties, back pain, numbness or weakness, changes in vision, or difficulty speaking. Call the doctor immediately for help.

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Conclusion

Home blood pressure monitoring benefits anyone diagnosed with hypertension. It is also helpful in gauging the efficiency of treatment for new patients. Also, monitoring regularly is particularly essential for those with illnesses or HBP risk factors. A single blood pressure reading is insufficient and provides just the current value of your blood pressure. As you work with your doctor to ensure that your medications to lower hypertension are effective, a record of readings collected over time might provide you with a “time-lapse” image of your blood pressure.

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