How to Accurately Measure Blood Pressure at Home
Checking your blood pressure at home is essential for managing high blood pressure (hypertension).
Home monitoring can help you keep tabs on your blood pressure in a familiar setting, make certain your medication is working, and alert you and your doctor to potential health complications.
Monitoring your blood pressure at home can:
- Help with early diagnosis.
- Help track your treatment.
- Encourage better control.
- Cut your health care costs.
- Check if your blood pressure differs outside the doctor’s office.
- If your blood pressure is well-controlled, check with your doctor how often you need to check it.
What is the correct way to measure blood pressure?
Learn the correct way to take your blood pressure, whether you’re getting it checked at the doctor’s office or at home. Use this checklist:
- Don’t measure your blood pressure right after you wake up
- Don’t eat or drink anything 30 minutes before you take your blood pressure.
- Empty your bladder before your reading.
- Sit in a comfortable chair with your back supported for at least 5 minutes before your reading.
- Put both feet flat on the ground and keep your legs uncrossed.
- Rest your arm with the cuff on a table at chest height.
- Make sure the blood pressure cuff is snug but not too tight. The cuff should be against your bare skin, not over clothing.
- Do not talk while your blood pressure is being measured.
It’s also a good idea to measure your blood pressure in both arms at least once, since the reading in one arm (usually the right) may be higher than in the left.
How often should I measure my blood pressure?
Talk with your healthcare team about how often you should have your blood pressure measured or when to measure it yourself. People who have high blood pressure may need to measure their blood pressure more often than people who do not have high blood pressure.
Why keep a blood pressure journal?
One blood pressure measurement is like a snapshot. It only tells what your blood pressure is at that moment. A record of readings taken over time provides a “time-lapse” picture of your blood pressure that can help you partner with your physician to ensure that your treatments to lower high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) are working.
There are many ways to lower blood pressure, including medication, getting more exercise, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, not smoking, reducing salt and alcohol consumption, lowering stress and losing weight.
Monitoring your blood pressure at home doesn’t have to be complicated or inconvenient. In the long run, you might risk fewer complications related to high blood pressure and enjoy a healthier life.
As Vedexa, we have been serving as a trusted supplier of high-quality pharmacy-grade brands for many years. We continue to provide our expertise and supply the latest technology in blood pressure monitors for you and your loved ones. For more information about our state-of-the-art blood pressure monitors, please consult with our healthcare professionals.
References
- Get the most out of home blood pressure monitoring
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20047889 - How to accurately measure blood pressure at home
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/05/22/how-to-accurately-measure-blood-pressure-at-home - Tips to measure your blood pressure correctly
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/tips-to-measure-your-blood-pressure-correctly - Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home - High Blood Pressure
https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/measure.htm