A step-by-step guide in measuring your blood pressure
Measuring your blood pressure at home is essential in monitoring your overall wellbeing, especially your cardiovascular health. It helps with the following:
• Detection of hypertension.
• Helps in assessing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
• Helps evaluate the effectiveness of your treatment plan, if you have been diagnosed with hypertension or cardiovascular conditions.
• Can provide insights into your overall health monitoring.
• Preventive care and health awareness.
• Can build better doctor-patient communication by providing them with valuable information that can help with treatment plans.
How to measure your blood pressure correctly at home?
It is vital to learn the correct way of measuring your blood pressure. Whether it is administered by a healthcare professional or doing it yourself at home. Here’s a step-by-step guide to measure your blood pressure properly according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Empty your bladder before reading.
- Do not eat or drink anything at least 30 minutes before taking your blood pressure.
- Sit and relax in a comfortable chair with a backrest for at least 5 minutes. Avoid doing any strenuous activity.
- Do not cross your legs and both feet flat on the ground.
- Make sure the room temperature is comfortable so as not to affect your blood pressure.
- Use a self-measure blood pressure monitoring device or SMBP.
- 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.
- Take at least 2 readings, 1 to 2 minutes apart at the same time every day.
To record your blood pressure measurements, use a Blood Pressure Log Sheet.
People who use blood pressure monitoring devices or SMBP are more likely to lower their blood pressure if they use SMBP combined with support from their health care team than if they don’t use SMBP. These blood pressure monitors are easy and safe to use. A healthcare team member can show you how to use one if you need help. Cited by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A wide range of blood pressure monitoring device is available on medcart.com.au.
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Blood Pressure Measure. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/measure.htm
