How To Measure Blood Pressure
There are a few ways to check your blood pressure. For example, your doctor can check your blood pressure in their office. Many pharmacies also offer free blood pressure monitoring stations.
You can also check it at home using home blood pressure monitors. These are available for purchase from pharmacies and medical supply stores.
The recommends using an automatic home blood pressure monitor that measures blood pressure on your upper arm. Wrist or finger blood pressure monitors are also available but may not be as accurate.
When taking your blood pressure, make sure you take the following steps:
- Sit still, with your back straight, feet supported, and legs uncrossed.
- Keep your upper arm at heart level.
- Have the middle of the cuff rest directly above the elbow.
- Avoid exercise, caffeine, or smoking for 30 minutes before you take your blood pressure.
What To Do If You Have Hypertension Stage One
Once your doctor diagnoses you with hypertension stage one, it will be very important to carefully, regularly monitor your blood pressure at home. Accurate, consistent readings will help your care provider determine if treatment measures are effective and if your blood pressure is either stabilizing or progressing toward hypertension stage two.
Experts recommend that people with stage one hypertension initially try lifestyle changes to correct their blood pressure measurements if they dont have existing cardiovascular disease and are at a low risk of developing it. Otherwise, lifestyle changes will likely be combined with lose-dose medications.
Lifestyle changes like these can lower your blood pressure significantly over time:
- Heart-healthy diet of low salt, low sugar, lean meats, and plenty of veggies and fruits.
- Regular aerobic exercise per week.
- Maintaining a healthy weight based on your age and height.
- Limiting alcohol to no more than one drink per day.
- Limiting caffeine and other stimulants in the diet.
- If applicable, tobacco cessation.
- Avoiding processed, fried, and fatty foods.
Of course, there are also several classes of medications that your healthcare provider may add to treat hypertension if lifestyle changes alone arent enough.
- Thiazide diuretics
The decision on which medication is best hinges upon your unique medical history, other existing health problems, and specific blood pressure readings.
A 6 Step Process For Assessing A Blood Pressure Management Plan
1.Obtain a high-quality home blood pressure monitor.
Why: Studies have found that home-based measurements are better than office-based BP measurements. They better reflect a persons BP over 24 hours.
Notes: See Choosing & Using a Home Blood Pressure Monitor for more details on choosing a monitor. Be sure to get one that measures BP at the upper arm . Ask your doctor for help validating that your home monitor is getting accurate readings.
2. Check blood pressure twice a day, every day for one week.
Why: Since blood pressure is constantly changing a bit or sometimes a lot in the body, checking several days in a row means that youll have several readings that can be averaged.
Aim to check at the same times every day. An average of several daily readings provides a more accurate picture of a persons BP.
Checking in the morning and evening is recommended by many experts. This is because BP can vary during the day, especially in people who are taking BP medications. But if checking twice a day seems too hard, just check once a day.
Experts also often say to check BP in the morning before any medications are taken. However, if there have been any concerns about falls, I like to review readings taken about an hour after medication. This is because I want to make sure the BP isnt falling too low when a person takes their medication.
Some home blood pressure monitors have a feature that makes this easy to do.
3. Make an up-to-date list of all current medications.
Notes:
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High Blood Pressure In Adults
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force exerted against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood to your body. Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure.
Untreated high blood pressure can lead to many medical problems. These include heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, eye problems, and other health issues.
Blood pressure readings are given as two numbers. The top number is called systolic blood pressure. The bottom number is called diastolic blood pressure. For example, 120 over 80 .
One or both of these numbers can be too high.
- Normal blood pressure is when your blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mm Hg most of the time.
- High blood pressure is when one or both of your blood pressure readings are higher than 130/80 mm Hg most of the time.
- If the top blood pressure number is between 120 and 130 mm Hg, and the bottom blood pressure number is less than 80 mm Hg, it is called elevated blood pressure.
If you have heart or kidney problems, or you had a stroke, your doctor may want your blood pressure to be even lower than that of people who do not have these conditions.
If You Need Two Medications
Many types of blood pressure drugs work best when taken together. When taking two drugs together, diuretics have been shown to lower blood pressure with a beta-blocker, ACE inhibitor and an ARB. A calcium channel blocker lowers blood pressure with the same drugs that work well with a diuretic. Other drug combinations are necessary when taking three or more blood pressure medications. There may be other reasons why your doctor may prescribe two blood pressure medications. For example, after heart attacks, doctors will prescribe a beta-blocker and an ACE inhibitor, but this is not primarily to reduce blood pressure.
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Heart Attack And Heart Disease
High blood pressure can damage your arteries by making them less elastic, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart and leads to heart disease. In addition, decreased blood flow to the heart can cause:
- Chest pain, also called angina.
- Heart attack, which happens when the blood supply to your heart is blocked and heart muscle begins to die without enough oxygen. The longer the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart.
- Heart failure, a condition that means your heart cant pump enough blood and oxygen to your other organs.
How Do You Measure Blood Pressure
In a doctor’s office, blood pressure is traditionally taken manually by a doctor or nurse with a sphygmomanometer. A sphygmomanometer is a medical instrument with an inflatable cuff and pressure meter or dial. The sphygmomanometer is placed snugly around the upper arm and is inflated by hand, and the doctor or nurse listens to the brachial artery with a stethoscope as they gradually reduce the pressure of the cuff. When the whooshing sound of blood is first heard through the stethoscope, the doctor or nurse makes note of the reading on the pressure meter. This indicates the systolic blood pressure reading. When the sound disappears, the reading on the pressure meter indicates the diastolic pressure reading.
Blood pressure can also be taken at home using a number of a digital devices. They typically consist of an inflatable cuff and digital display and simply work by placing the cuff around the upper arm and pressing a button, after which the cuff inflatess, deflates, and displays a reading. The most popular blood pressure machines for home use are made by Omron, Beurer, and Paramed, amongst many others.
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What Causes High Blood Pressure In A Child
When the cause of high blood pressure isn’t known, it’s called primary. Secondary high blood pressure happens with illness or certain lifestyle choices.
Secondary causes of high blood pressure in children and teens include:
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Kidney disease and heart disease
-
Prescription medicine such as corticosteroids or birth control pills
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Illegal drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine
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Endocrine disorders such as overactive thyroid and diabetes
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Mental health causes such as mental stress and anxiety
What Does The Diastolic Blood Pressure Number Mean
The diastolic reading, or the bottom number, is the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats. This is the time when the heart fills with blood and gets oxygen.
This is what your diastolic blood pressure number means:
- Normal: Lower than 80
- Stage 2 hypertension: 90 or more
- Hypertensive crisis: 120 or more. Call 911.
Our chart below has more details.
Even if your diastolic number is normal , you can have elevated blood pressure if the systolic reading is 120-129.
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Checking Blood Pressure At Home
Keeping track of blood pressure at home is important for many people, especially if you have high blood pressure. This helps you and your doctor find out if your treatment is working.
Your doctor may also suggest that you check your pressure at home if they think you may have “white coat hypertension.” It’s a real condition. The stress of being in a doctor’s office raises your blood pressure, but when you’re home, it’s normal.
Ask your doctor to recommend an easy-to-use home blood pressure monitor. Make sure the cuff fits properly. If your arm is too big for the cuff, the reading may be higher than your blood pressure really is. Ask your doctor for a larger cuff or make sure you buy a home monitor with a cuff that fits you.
You also can use a wrist blood pressure monitor, but they often aren’t as accurate. Follow the directions that come with the device to make sure you are using it correctly.
No matter which type of blood pressure monitor you have, it’s a good idea to take it to your doctor’s office. You can compare its reading to the numbers your doctor gets. Avoid caffeine, cigarettes, and exercise for at least 30 minutes before the test.
When you take your blood pressure at home, sit up straight in a chair and put both feet on the floor. Ask your doctor or nurse to show you the right way to position your arm so you get accurate readings.
Risks Of Hypertension Stage 2 Blood Pressure
There are a myriad of risks associated with the onset of Hypertension Stage 2. For one, hypertension is a huge risk factor for peripheral arterial disease, chronic kidney disease, aneurysms within the arteries, strokes and basic heart disease. Those with this condition will also find that it can even lower life expectancy. There are also two different diseases that a person with Hypertension Stage 2 is at risk of developing if left untreated, including coronary artery disease and what is known as hypertensive heart disease.What Can Help Safeguard Against Hypertension Stage 2 Blood Pressure
In order to prevent Hypertension Stage 2, there are several dietary restrictions and weight tips that you should stick by. For instance, it’s important to stay at a normal body rate, which can be aided with physical exercise for at least 30 minutes per day. Eat at least 5-6 portions of fruits and vegetables per day as well. It’s also recommended that you keep your sodium intake under 2.4 grams each day. All of this will help you keep hypertension blood pressure at bay.
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How Blood Pressure Is Measured
A doctor or nurse will measure your blood pressure with a small gauge attached to an inflatable cuff. It’s simple and painless.
The person taking your blood pressure wraps the cuff around your upper arm. Some cuffs go around the forearm or wrist, but often they aren’t as accurate.
Your doctor or nurse will use a stethoscope to listen to the blood moving through your artery.
Theyâll inflate the cuff to a pressure higher than your systolic blood pressure, and it will tighten around your arm. Then theyâll release it. As the cuff deflates, the first sound they hear through the stethoscope is the systolic blood pressure. It sounds like a whooshing noise. The point where this noise goes away marks the diastolic blood pressure.
In a blood pressure reading, the systolic number always comes first, and then the diastolic number. For example, your numbers may be “120 over 80” or written as 120/80.
What Questions Might I Be Asked In The Emergency Room
Your healthcare provider will interview you when you enter the emergency room. Do your best to prepare yourself to answer the following questions, and more, that your healthcare provider may ask.
- What medications are you on?
- Did you forget your blood pressure medication?
- What symptoms do you have?
- How long have you had these symptoms?
If youre unable to check your blood pressure, but think it might be high, dont hesitate to call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/14/2021.
References
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What Is The Difference
The major difference between the old and new guidelines is the elimination of the category of pre-hypertension. However, findings from research studies show that complications can exist when blood pressure is as low as 130-139 over 80-89.
The new guidelines change the categories. Those same readings that would have been pre-hypertension are now categorized as stage I hypertension. Doing so means earlier treatment, which can help prevent future increases in blood pressure and more serious complications associated with hypertension.
Why Is Your Blood Pressure Important
Your blood pressure is important because if it is too high, it affects the blood flow to your organs. Over the years, this increases your chances of developing heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, eye disease, erectile dysfunction and other conditions.
Very occasionally, people with very high blood pressure are at serious risk of problems and need urgent treatment in hospital to reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Current Australian guidelines recommend that if you have persistent raised blood pressure over 160/100 mmHg, but are at low risk of having a stroke or heart attack, you should talk to your doctor or specialist about taking medication to lower your blood pressure.
For further information, visit the Choosing Wisely Australia website.
If youre over 18, you should have your blood pressure checked by your doctor at least every 2 years, or more often if advised.
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Measuring Ambulatory Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can also be diagnosed through a special device called an ambulatory blood pressure monitor. A doctor, nurse or pharmacist will get you to wear the device for a full day. The device measures blood pressure every 20 to 30 minutes and gives the doctor an average of your blood pressures during the day and while you are sleeping. These devices are not available everywhere and can be uncomfortable to wear.
What Should I Do If My Bp Is 160 100
High blood pressure is defined as 160 by 100mmhg. It is not possible to diagnose hypertension with just one reading. High blood pressure can be caused by stress and physical activity. Dont hesitate to consult a general physician for regular evaluations.
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How Is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed
High blood pressure is usually diagnosed by a health care professional after a blood pressure screening during an annual checkup. If your blood pressure is usually normal, one high reading is likely nothing to worry about.
Blood pressure can be temporarily raised by lots of different things such as physical activity, dehydration, what you eat or drink, and even the temperature outside. Just being in the doctors office can raise blood pressure.
So before diagnosing high blood pressure, your doctor will likely look at past readings and possibly take another reading. If theyre still not sure, they may recommend additional testing with a home blood pressure monitoring system. And depending on your risk factors or other health conditions, you may be referred to a cardiologist who specializes in cardiovascular diseases .
For High Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may watch it closely. This is because its a risk factor for heart disease.
Having elevated blood pressure puts you at risk for high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is elevated, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes like eating a heart-healthy diet, cutting back on alcohol, and exercising regularly. These may help bring your blood pressure numbers down. You may not need prescription medications.
If you have stage 1 hypertension, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. They may prescribe a drug like:
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What You Should Know About A Blood Pressure Of 130/99
What is hypertension stage two? Blood pressure guidelines exist to define hypertension within stages. These stages, which were created by The American Heart Association and The American College of Cardiology, are like a roadmap to help guide and tailor decisions in the treatment process for hypertension. Understanding the specifics of your blood pressure stage is critical to successfully controlling readings over the long-term.
Stage two hypertension blood pressure is systolic blood pressure 140-180 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure 90-120.
Normal systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings are considered under 120/80 mmHg. The next stage is elevated blood pressure, which is 120-129 systolic mmHg and diastolic pressure remaining less than 80 mmHg. High blood pressure starts at hypertension stage one, which is a systolic reading of 130-139 mmHg or a diastolic reading of 80-89 mmHg. Hypertension stage two is progressive hypertension, and its the last stop before the hypertensive crisis stage of having blood pressures over 180/120 mmHg.
Its important to remember that the above stages are all distinguished through consistent, reliable blood pressure measurements. In other words, your blood pressure should be taken at least twice on two separate occasions via a trustworthy measurement tool before a classification of hypertension stage two is made.