Need to know your blood pressure numbers? The following are simple tips and keys to taking your blood pressure effectively at home.
Whether you’re getting blood pressure measurements from a medical professional or at home, there are steps to take for accuracy. For example, arm position, what you do beforehand, and other factors can affect your readings by 10% or even more.
Getting the wrong measurements can lead you to believe you’re perfectly fine or that you’re worse than you are. Moreover, these misreadings can result in using the wrong medication and wrong dosages – if you even need them at all.
The American Heart Association (AHA) provides certain guidelines for blood pressure measurement. Knowing these guidelines can help ensure that your readings are done correctly, both at home and at your doctor’s office.
The following are simple keys to taking your blood pressure effectively and accurately.
Blood Pressure Measurement Guidelines
Before the Test
First, avoid smoking or drinking any type of caffeinated beverage within 30 minutes of your test. Before the measurement, it’s best to sit quietly for about 5 minutes.
During the Test
During the reading, don’t slouch or lie on your back. Sit in a chair with your feet on the floor and rest your elbow at about heart level.
Position the inflatable part of the cuff above your level and let it cover at least 80% of the upper arm. Do not place it over a shirt (it should touch bare skin) and don’t talk while your blood pressure is measured.
After the Test
Take a brief break (at least 5 minutes) and measure your blood pressure again for a total of two times. However, if the difference between the readings is 5 or more points, take it a third time for accuracy.
Additional Guidelines
While these guidelines are preferred for accurate readings, you may have to break them every now and then. Since blood pressure can vary throughout the day, one single reading is not enough to determine high blood pressure.
For example, if you feel lightheaded when you stand after sitting or when getting out of bed, other rules apply. In this particular case, you should measure your blood pressure while sitting and then again while standing.
To determine whether you have high blood pressure, your doctor will confirm at least two readings on separate occasions. Nevertheless, if your readings are 180/110 mm Hg or higher, treatment should be done as soon as possible.
Improving High Blood Pressure
There are a variety of things you can do to improve your blood pressure numbers. For instance, regular exercise and a healthy diet are great for at-home solutions.
In some cases, medications will be necessary to control high blood pressure in both the short and long term. Furthermore, you can try effective circulation supplements like HeartBeet Complete.
It contains beetroot powder along with other effective ingredients to lower blood pressure and improve heart health. Try HeartBeet Complete along with exercise and healthy dieting to maintain or promote a normal range of blood pressure readings.
