Steps in Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home

Keeping a check on your blood pressure at home is integral to managing your cardiac health. When you frequently examine your blood pressure, it can assist in monitoring health and identifying problems early on. At WELL Health Diagnostic Centres, knowing how to measure and understand your blood pressure readings is vital for maintaining good health habits. In this blog, we will show the steps to take when checking blood pressure at home. We will also explain why knowing your blood pressure numbers is essential. 

How to Check Blood Pressure at Home

Here is a simple step-by-step guide to checking your blood pressure in the comfort of your own home:

• Select the Device: Buy a good-quality, automatic blood pressure monitor that can be worn on your upper arm. The wrist or finger monitors are not as accurate and should rather be avoided. Also, make sure you have the right cuff size for your arm.
• Ready for the Measurement: Be still and sit for 5 minutes before measuring. Do not drink caffeine, smoke, or exercise for at least 30 minutes before. Make sure your bladder is empty and sit in a comfortable chair with a backrest, feet flat on the floor.
• Put the Cuff in the Right Place: The cuff should be placed about 1 inch above your elbow on your bare upper arm. It should fit but not be too tight. 
• Push the start button located on the monitor. Stay calm and quiet as the machine inflates the cuff, and then takes the reading. 
• Record Your Reading: Note the systolic and diastolic numbers displayed on the monitor. These numbers represent the pressure in your arteries during heartbeats and between beats. Record the date, time, and reading in a blood pressure log to keep track of your blood pressure changes over time.

After going through these stages, you will be able to measure blood pressure at home with assurance and exactness. This will guarantee that the outcomes are accurate and dependable.

Track Blood Pressure: Know Your Numbers

According to the Mayo Clinic, understanding the numbers that show up on your blood pressure monitor will help you keep a close watch on the health of your heart, and enable you and your health team to devise the best way forward for your treatment. Blood pressure readings are given in units of millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) and consist of two numbers: systolic pressure (the upper number) and diastolic pressure (the lower number).

Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg

Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 and diastolic less than 80

Hypertension Stage 1: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89

Hypertension Stage 2: Systolic 140 or higher or diastolic 90 or higher

Hypertensive Crisis: Systolic over 180 and diastolic over 120

Knowing these ranges will help you understand which group your readings belong to and whether any action needs to be taken. Maintaining a record of your blood pressure measurements can help you and your healthcare professional keep track of alterations and modify the treatment plan as required. Be aware that blood pressure may vary at different times of the day, so it is important to observe it regularly.

Where To Test Blood Pressure

When selecting a place to test blood pressure, look for a peaceful and cozy spot where it is simple to sit back and unwind without any disturbances. Use these suggestions when picking your location:

At Home: The most accessible and most constant place to check your blood pressure is at home. Choose a room where you can sit relaxed, with your arm on a table or armrest at the level of your heart.

At Work: If you must monitor your blood pressure during work hours, locate a secluded place where you can sit calmly prior to taking the measurement. Confirm that it allows you to match the same routine you use to measure your BP at home to maintain consistency.

At a Pharmacy: Numerous pharmacies provide free blood pressure checks. Although they can be helpful, using the same machine and conditions every time is better for more precise results. Remember to sit down and relax before taking the measurement.

Healthcare Provider’s Office: Visiting your healthcare provider regularly for blood pressure checks might offer more thorough monitoring, especially if you are dealing with hypertension or other health issues.

Regardless of where you perform the test, keeping the location and conditions consistent will better represent your blood pressure changes over time.

Measuring Blood Pressure Right Arm Versus Left Arm

A common question when measuring blood pressure is which arm should be used. 

It generally doesn’t matter which arm you use, but it is best to use the same arm consistently every time. Minor variations in blood pressure readings from the right and left arms are typical. However, it can be helpful for tracking trends if you always use one arm. According to Harvard Health, blood pressure is best tested in both arms and then staying with the arm that yields the higher reading. If there are notable variations in blood pressure between your right arm and left arm (greater than 10 mm Hg), this might show an ongoing problem with your blood vessels. You need to talk about it with the doctor caring for you.

Knowing the results of measuring blood pressure on both arms, you can select the most suitable method to maintain uniform and precise observation.

Checking your blood pressure at home is an active way to manage your health and prevent problems. Understanding how to do the test correctly, knowing the numbers you see, selecting an appropriate place for measurement, and comprehending the difference between arms ensure that readings are precise and dependable.

If you have any inquiries about monitoring your blood pressure or need help managing your heart health, contact WELL Health Diagnostic Centres. We are a group of professionals ready to give you complete assistance and care.