For the millions of people with high blood pressure, your annual physical might not monitor your blood pressure well enough. Health organizations, including the American Heart Association and the American Society of Hypertension, recommend that people who have high blood pressure regularly monitor their readings at home — an easy, inexpensive way to help you track of your blood pressure activity.
To measure your blood pressure at home, you need the right device. With a wide variety of blood pressure monitors on the market, it’s important to select one best suited to your needs. The American Heart Association recommends an automatic cuff-style, bicep (upper-arm) monitor. Wrist and finger monitors are not suggested because they can provide less reliable readings. If you are unsure about what device is right for you, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
How to Use a Home Blood Pressure Monitor
Be still.
Avoid smoking, eating, using tobacco, drinking caffeine or exercising within 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure. Be sure to empty your bladder and rest for at least 5 minutes before taking your measurement.
Sit upright.
It is important to sit with your back straight and supported (on a chair, rather than a sofa). Your feet should be flat on the floor, and your legs should not be crossed. Have your arm supported on a flat surface with your upper arm at heart level.
Measure at the same time every day.
Create a routine for yourself. It’s best practice to take the readings at the same time every day to get accurate readings. It is also a good idea to take the reading from the same arm each time.
Don’t take your measurements over clothes.
Make sure that the cuff is placed on bare skin, not over your clothing. Also, be aware that rolling up your sleeve until it’s tight around your arm can result in an inaccurate reading, so you might need to take your arm out of the sleeve.
If your blood pressure test shows that you have a higher than normal blood pressure, your doctor may recommend certain lifestyle changes to try to lower your blood pressure. These can include getting regular exercise, limiting your alcohol intake, eating healthy foods and reducing the amount of salt in your diet. If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, your doctor may recommend medications to help lower your blood pressure.
Low blood pressure that has no symptoms or very mild symptoms, such as brief episodes of dizziness when standing, rarely require treatment. If you are seeing symptoms, the best treatment depends on the underlying cause and you should contact your doctor.
Make checking your blood pressure a part of your daily routine to help stay on top of your heart health!
Am I a Candidate?
Determine if you are at risk for developing or already have symptoms for venous disease.