Checking Your Own Blood Pressure
Blood pressure checks are a common reason for visits to your healthcare provider.
Yet, for less than the cost of a single appointment, you may be able to purchase your
own blood pressure monitor. This way you can check the reading yourself at home.
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. Blood pressure
readings tend to vary, depending on many factors, including stress levels and time
of day. Your blood pressure reading in a healthcare provider's office can be as much
as 20 or 30 points higher. The nervousness of being there can be enough to increase
blood pressure.
Home blood pressure kits
You may buy blood pressure monitors at a variety of stores, including pharmacies,
medical supply stores, general merchandise stores, and even online retailers. An electronic
digital monitor that is battery operated is often easier to use than the more traditional
blood pressure cuff. Electronic monitors usually cost more.
It’s important to check the accuracy of either type of monitor every so often. One
way to make sure your monitor is accurate is to take it with you to your next healthcare
provider appointment. Take your blood pressure with your monitor and compare it with
the reading from your healthcare provider's monitor.
Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to recommend a monitor for you. Keep in
mind that if you have a large upper arm, you'll need a special, large cuff to get
a correct reading.
Ask your healthcare provider when and how often you should take your blood pressure
at home.
Read the instructions
Each type of blood pressure monitor works differently. Be sure to read the instructions
that come with yours. Ask your healthcare provider, nurse, or pharmacist to teach
you how to use it. Many people can check their own blood pressure at home without
difficulty. Some need help from a family member or friend.
Your home blood pressure reading is more likely to be accurate if you do the following:
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Don't take readings within a half-hour after smoking, exercising, eating, or drinking
beverages, especially with caffeine.
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Take at least 2 readings 1 or 2 minutes apart.
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Take your blood pressure at the same time every day.
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Before you take your blood pressure, sit for 5 minutes with your back supported and
your feet flat on the ground. Don't cross your legs. Rest your arm on a table at the
level of your heart.
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Use the bathroom before taking your reading. A full bladder can change the results.
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Don't talk while your blood pressure is being measured.
Blood pressure measurements are given as two numbers. Systolic blood pressure is the
upper number. This is the pressure when the heart contracts. Diastolic blood pressure
is the lower number. This is the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats. Both
numbers in a blood pressure reading are important. As we grow older, systolic blood
pressure is particularly important.
Blood pressure is categorized as low, normal, elevated, or stage 1 or stage 2 high
blood pressure:
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Low blood pressure is systolic of less than 90 and diastolic of less than 60.
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Normal blood pressure is systolic of less than 120 and diastolic of less than 80.
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Elevated blood pressure is systolic of 120 to 129 and diastolic less than 80.
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Stage 1 high blood pressure is systolic of 130 to 139 or diastolic is between 80 to 89.
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Stage 2 high blood pressure is systolic of 140 or higher or diastolic is 90 or higher.
Get medical care right away if your blood pressure is much higher or lower than expected.
Whenever you visit your healthcare provider, take your blood pressure record with
you.
As a monitor ages, it may become less accurate. If the equipment or monitor you have
is older than 5 years, you may need a new monitor. Take your monitor with you to your
healthcare appointments and check the accuracy of the monitor against the reading
the healthcare providers are getting.