Uncontrolled high blood pressure may lead to very serious damage to your body over time. This may cause complications such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease or failure, vision loss, and more. The consequences can be severe, which is why it is so important for patients to take a proactive role in managing their health.
If you are living with hypertension, one of the best ways for you to take control of your health is to monitor your blood pressure at home every morning and afternoon. Logging your measurements can help you and your doctor work together to reach your blood pressure goals and ensure your medications are working effectively. This will make a big difference in your overall health. If you are not currently monitoring your blood pressure at home, let’s get you on track to maintain healthy blood pressure for years to come by following the tips we’ve laid out below.
1 . Use a Certified Measuring Device
It is important to choose a home blood pressure monitor that is accurate, easy-to-use, and fits your arm properly. The American Heart Association recommends using an automatic, cuff-style, bicep (upper-arm) monitor. The AHA says wrist and finger monitors are not recommended because they tend to produce less reliable readings.
Automatic devices should be certified by one of three respected organizations including the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, British Hypertension Society, or European Society of Hypertension. A list of recommended devices is available online and is a good place to start when researching devices. Prices for a typical, high-quality device range between $50 and $150.
2. Prepare Your Body Properly for Measurements
Target BP recommends you follow these guidelines to prepare to measure your blood pressure:
- Avoid caffeine, cigarettes, and other stimulants 30 minutes before you measure your blood pressure
- Wait at least 30 minutes after a meal
- If you are taking blood pressure medication, measure your blood pressure before you take your medicine
- Go to the bathroom before you measure (Can add 10-15 mm Hg to your measurement)
- Find a quiet place where you can sit comfortably without distraction (Talking while taking your blood pressure can raise it)
3. Position Your Body Correctly to Obtain Accurate Readings
Target BP provides a chart that shows how to sit properly when taking measurements. Applying all their recommendations every time you measure will ensure you have accurate readings. Measure at the same time every day such as morning and afternoon and take two or three readings one minute apart each time you measure.
We suggest downloading the provided chart and keeping it with your measuring device or on your phone so you have it handy whenever you take measurements.
4. Know Your Numbers
Everyone has a specific blood pressure goal that depends on your current health condition. Talk to your doctor to find out what your ideal blood pressure should look like. The American Heart Association recommended blood pressure numbers can be used as a general guideline when looking at your results, but should not replace the advice of your doctor.
It is important to remember that blood pressure higher than 180/120 mm Hg is a crisis. The American Heart Association says if you measure in this range you should wait a couple minutes, take your blood pressure again, and if your blood pressure is still in this crisis range, consult your doctor immediately. If you are experiencing signs of severe symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness/weakness, change in vision, and/or difficulty speaking, do not wait to see if your blood pressure comes down. Call 911.
5. Track Your Results
Tracking your measurements will help you partner with your doctor to achieve desired results. Based on your measurement history, your doctor can make recommendations to get your numbers where they need to be for you to maintain your health. If you are taking blood pressure medication, logging these numbers can also help you and your doctor ensure your medications are working effectively. This allows you to take a proactive role in managing your own health.
Arizona Care Network has a blood pressure log that you can download to use for tracking, or you can use the American Heart Association’s Check. Change. Control.® Tracker, which is a free, online tool that allows you to track your blood pressure numbers. Enter ‘CODE6’ in the first box when creating your account.
Own Your Health
Although this process may seem overwhelming, once you get into a routine with easy access to the resources included in this article, you can work this into your daily routine. Managing your high blood pressure is key to taking care of your heart and keeping your body healthy for years to come.
