Tips To Make Sure Your At
Tips to keep in mind while measuring your resting blood pressure at home include the following:
Morning and evening are good times to measure your blood pressure. Remember, blood pressure varies throughout the day, and readings are often a little higher in the morning. Also, your blood pressure may be slightly lower at home than in a medical office, with the difference typically being around 5 points.
Dont be alarmed if you get an unexpectedly high reading. One high reading is usually nothing to worry about. Measure your blood pressure again at another time. If your blood pressure is consistently high or abnormal, discuss it with your doctor.
How To Accurately Measure Blood Pressure At Home
Please note: This article was published more than two years ago, so some information may be outdated. If you have questions about your health, always contact a health care professional.
High blood pressure is one of the top risk factors for heart attack and stroke. It’s also common among people who develop severe COVID-19 symptoms.
So, with more people at home practicing social distancing and with fewer chances to check blood pressure at public pharmacy machines or doctor visits, it’s more important than ever to know how to do it at home.
How do I select a home blood pressure monitor?
“The readings you get at home are really important, because they reflect the pressure your heart is facing on a day-to-day basis,” said Dr. Michael Hochman, a doctor of internal medicine at Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California.
A list of validated home monitors, the first in the United States and commissioned to meet the American Medical Association’s criteria, is available at validateBP.org. The Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, the British Hypertension Society and the European Society of Hypertension also certify devices.
The device should measure blood pressure on the upper arm, which produce a more reliable result than those that measure from the wrist.
Many devices are automated. Simply put on the cuff and press a button. The results are displayed digitally.
Your health care provider should check the device about once a year to ensure its accuracy.
Choosing A Home Blood Pressure Monitor
Home blood pressure monitors range in price from about $40 to $100. Look for one that automatically inflates and automatically records the pressure. Many can store readings for a week or two, and pricier ones can wirelessly send the data to an app on your smartphone, making it easier to track your progress over time and share the information with doctors.
Skip devices with a wrist cuff or a fingertip sensor, as theyre not as reliable as those with an upper arm cuff. Be sure to choose the correct cuff size the inflatable part should completely cover at least 80% of your bare arm. Ask your physician if youre not sure if you should get a large or extra-large cuff.
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Electronic Monitors For Self
Wrist monitors
These monitors have the advantages of being smaller than the arm devices and can be used in obese people, as the wrist diameter is little affected by obesity. A potential problem with wrist monitors is the systematic error introduced by the hydrostatic effect of differences in the position of the wrist relative to the heart,45 as shown in Fig. 7. This can be avoided if the wrist is always at heart level when the readings are taken, but there is no way of knowing retrospectively whether this was complied with when a series of readings are reviewed. Wrist monitors have potential but need to be evaluated further.16,95
The effects of changes in the position of the forearm on the blood pressure recorded by a wrist monitor. Ten readings were taken in each of three positions: vertically down, horizontal, and vertically up. The average values are shown at the top of each bar.
Finger monitors
Although these monitors are convenient, they have so far been found to be inaccurate and therefore should not be used.74
What Steps Should I Take While Checking My Blood Pressure At Home
Before taking your blood pressure
- Find a quiet place.
- Check to be sure you have the correct size cuff. If you are not sure, or if you have questions, talk to your healthcare provider.
- Roll up the sleeve on your left arm or remove any tight-sleeved clothing, if needed.
- Rest in a chair next to a table for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Sit up straight with your back against the chair, legs uncrossed and on the ground.
- Rest your forearm on the table with the palm of your hand facing up.
- You should not talk, read the newspaper, or watch television during this process.
Taking your blood pressure
If you buy a manual or digital blood pressure monitor , follow the instruction booklet carefully.
Record your blood pressure
If you have been asked to record your blood pressure and bring your readings to the office, please write down the date, time of day, systolic and diastolic numbers, heart rate, and which arm you took the reading on. If you are taking part in a program that has remote monitoring, your blood pressure readings are automatically shared with your medical provider. If you are unsure, please ask your provider.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/23/2018.
References
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Tips For Achieving A Healthy Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can increase your risk of serious conditions like heart attacks and strokes. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to lower your blood pressure, including:
- Follow a heart-healthy diet that is high in vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Avoid added sugars, saturated fats, and high-sodium foods.
- Get plenty of exercise.
What Is It Used For
A blood pressure measurement is most often used to diagnose high blood pressure.
Blood pressure that’s too low, known as hypotension, is much less common. But you may get tested for low blood pressure if you have certain symptoms. Unlike high blood pressure, low blood pressure usually causes symptoms. These include:
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When To See A Doctor
Anything within that hypertensive crisis range warrants an immediate call to a doctor. Typically, a blood pressure over 180 systolic is the range in which we start to worry about complications occurring in the immediate future, Dr. Lindley says. Certain symptoms are warning signs, too: If you are having a headache, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or visual changes associated with an elevated blood pressure, you should call your doctor or go to the emergency room, Dr. Lindley urges. If you are pregnant or postpartum, a reading of over 140/90 warrants a call to your doctor or, if accompanied by symptoms, an ER visit, she adds.
A Note On White Coat Syndrome
White coat syndrome, or white coat hypertension, is one reason why your doctor may suggest at-home BP monitoring, says Kathryn J. Lindley, M.D., an OB/GYN and director of the Womens Heart Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. Thats when you get a higher BP reading at your medical appointmentslikely because of anxiety of being at the doctors officethan you do at home, says the Cleveland Clinic. Getting those accurate readings at home can help you and your doctor make better decisions about your treatment if you have a history of high blood pressure, she says.
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What Is A Healthy Blood Pressure Reading
Your blood pressure measures the force of the blood being pushed through your body as your heart beats.
The first number is called your systolic pressure. It measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart pumps. The second number is called your diastolic pressure, which measures the pressure in your blood vessels in between heartbeats.
A blood pressure reading is considered healthy if it is 120/80 millimeters of mercury or below. Any blood pressure above this is considered elevated or abnormal.
A single blood pressure reading in the higher range isnt cause for concern, but if youre regularly getting higher readings, a medical professional will make a plan to help you lower your numbers.
Elevated blood pressure categories include:
Choosing Times That Work For You
The best times of day to take your blood pressure depend on you and your daily routine. Its important to pick times that you can stick to every day.
Taking your blood pressure at the same time each day is key to understanding your blood pressure. It can help make sure that the readings you take arent affected by the events of your day.
You can select times when you know youll be home and are unlikely to be interrupted. For example, you could check your blood pressure before you leave for work, when you get home from work, and before bed.
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Tips To Measure Your Blood Pressure Correctly
To determine whether you have hypertension, a medical professional will take a blood pressure reading. How you prepare for the test, the position of your arm, and other factors can change a blood pressure reading by 10% or more. That could be enough to hide high blood pressure, start you on a drug you don’t really need, or lead your doctor to incorrectly adjust your medications.
National and international guidelines offer specific instructions for measuring blood pressure. If a doctor, nurse, or medical assistant isn’t doing it right, don’t hesitate to ask him or her to get with the guidelines.
Here’s what you can do to ensure a correct reading:
Don’t drink a caffeinated beverage or smoke during the 30 minutes before the test.
Sit quietly for five minutes before the test begins.
During the measurement, sit in a chair with your feet on the floor and your arm supported so your elbow is at about heart level.
The inflatable part of the cuff should completely cover at least 80% of your upper arm, and the cuff should be placed on bare skin, not over a shirt.
Don’t talk during the measurement.
Have your blood pressure measured twice, with a brief break in between. If the readings are different by 5 points or more, have it done a third time.
For more on getting your blood pressure under control, buy Controlling Your Blood Pressure, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.
Image: cheyennezj/Getty Images
Choose The Proper Cuff Size
Universal Images Group / Getty Images
One of the most important factors that can influence the accuracy of blood pressure readings is the size of the blood pressure cuff that is used. There is a very specific set of guidelines for precise cuff sizing. But it can be difficult for patients to tell, just by looking, if their healthcare provider is using a correctly sized cuff.
If you are significantly above or below “average” height or weight, then the healthcare provider or nurse should probably not be using the cuff that is already in the room. The “default” cuff that is usually kept in the examining room is meant to be used for average sized people, and will not produce an accurate reading if you are larger or smaller than average.
The official guidelines specify the following cuff sizes:
- Arm circumference 22 to 26 cm, ‘small adult’ cuff, 12 x 22 cm
- Arm circumference 27 to 34 cm, ‘adult’ cuff: 16 x 30 cm
- Arm circumference 35 to 44 cm, ‘large adult’ cuff: 16 x 36 cm
- Arm circumference 45 to 52 cm, ‘adult thigh’ cuff: 16 x 42
Katrina Wittkamp / Getty Images
Proper positioning is vital in obtaining accurate blood pressure readings.
In general, blood pressure should be measured while you are seated comfortably. The arm being used should be relaxed, uncovered, and supported at the level of the heart. Only the part of the arm where the blood pressure cuff is fastened needs to be at heart level, not the entire arm.
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What Else Do I Need To Know
- Do not take a BP reading in an arm that is injured or has an IV or shunt. The reading may not be accurate.
- Do not stop taking your medicines if your BP is at your goal. A BP at your goal means your medicine is working correctly. Take your BP medicines as directed.
- Bring the BP machine to your follow-up visits. Your healthcare provider can check that you are using the machine correctly.
How Do I Take My Blood Pressure
Before taking your blood pressure:
- Find a quiet place.
- Roll up the sleeve on your left arm or remove any tight-sleeved clothing, if needed.
- Rest in a chair next to a table for five to 10 minutes.
- Sit up straight with your back against the chair, legs uncrossed.
- Rest your forearm on the table with the palm of your hand facing up.
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Additional Tests That Can Check For Hypertension
Your doctor may order additional tests to check for causes of hypertension and to assess any organ damage caused by high blood pressure:
- Ambulatory monitoring: Device is used to measure blood pressure at regular intervals over a 24-hour period that provides an accurate picture of blood pressure changes.
- Urine test: Checks for electrolytes and urinary proteins.
- Blood test: Measures electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels.
How To Measure Your Blood Pressure At Home Using A Home Monitor
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Get In The Right Position
Your blood pressure can vary depending on your body positioning, so its important to have proper form when using your monitor. Blood pressure should be taken while you are sitting down, resting comfortably for at least five minutes, with your feet flat on your ground, Dr. Lindley says. Sitting still in a chair, with your back well-supported, and your arm resting straight on a flat surface like the chairs armrest or a table is also important, Dr. Hauvater adds. For accuracy, make sure youre not taking your blood pressure over any clothesroll up those sleeves!
What Affects A Blood Pressure Reading
Many things can affect a blood pressure reading, including:
- Nervousness about having your blood pressure taken. This is called white coat syndrome. As many as 1 in 3 people who have a high blood pressure reading at the doctors office may have normal blood pressure readings outside of it.1
- What you ate, drank, or did before your reading. If you smoked, drank alcohol or caffeine, or exercised within 30 minutes of having your blood pressure measured, your reading might be higher.2
- How you are sitting. Crossing your legs and letting your arm droop at your side rather than rest on a table at chest height can make your blood pressure go up.2
Its important to get an accurate blood pressure reading so that you have a clearer picture of your risk for heart disease and stroke.
A reading that says your blood pressure is lower than it actually is may give you a false sense of security about your health. A reading that says your blood pressure is higher than it actually is may lead to treatment you dont need.
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Factors That Can Affect Your Readings
There are a few general rules to be aware of when it comes to timing your blood pressure reading.
For example, its not a good idea to take your blood pressure immediately after you wake up, as this may not give you the most accurate reading. Instead, aim to check it when youve been up for about half an hour.
Its also best not to wait until after breakfast and your morning coffee since both food and caffeine can raise your blood pressure. Ideally, a morning blood pressure can be taken after you brush your teeth, shower, and get dressed but before you eat or leave for work.
Food and caffeine arent the only things that can cause your blood pressure to spike. There are several other everyday things that can make your blood pressure rise.
No matter what time of day you take your blood pressure, its best to avoid these things for at least half an hour before you take a reading:
- smoking or using tobacco
How Are Blood Pressure Levels Categorized
There are four blood pressure categories:
- Normal blood pressure: Systolic below 120 and diastolic below 80 mm Hg
- Prehypertension: Systolic between 120-139 and diastolic between 80-89 mm Hg
- Stage I hypertension: Systolic between 140-159 and diastolic between 90-99 mm Hg
- Stage II hypertension: Systolic above 160 and diastolic above 100 mm Hg
Monitoring your blood pressure levels can help you prevent or delay the onset of high blood pressure and related health problems. If you notice that your blood pressure readings are getting higher, talk to your doctor. They can help you set goals and recommend lifestyle changes that can help you get the numbers back down and reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
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