Are You Checking Your Blood Pressure Correctly?

Checking blood pressure is an important part of preventative medical care and staying healthy. After all, it is one of the most important vital signs that doctors assess at the beginning of each visit. Blood Pressure can tell your primary care physician a lot about your health and what may be happening internally. In fact, as a physician, I ask every single patient that comes into the office (or on the screen) to get a blood pressure monitor and regularly self-check their blood pressure.

Why is checking blood pressure important? High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects over a third of American adults and is a leading cause of death worldwide. Left untreated, blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, organ failure, and other serious health problems. That's why it's important for adults to check their blood pressure regularly – especially if they are at risk for hypertension.

The best way to check blood pressure is to visit your primary care physician. Your doctor will measure blood pressure levels with a device called a sphygmomanometer, which is composed of an inflatable cuff, a stethoscope, and a mercury manometer. Your doctor will place the cuff around your upper arm and use the stethoscope to listen for blood flow in your artery. Then, the cuff will inflate and deflate to measure blood pressure levels.

Other methods for checking blood pressure may include using an automated device at home in conjunction with using a blood pressure monitor app on your smartphone. However, it’s important to remember that these devices are not as accurate as those used by healthcare professionals.

High blood pressure can lead to serious health problems down the line, so it's important to keep tabs on it regularly. Fortunately, blood pressure is easy to check and can be done quickly.

Some tips for checking blood pressure:

1. Get a blood pressure monitor.

Digital blood pressure monitors are easy to use and accurate, so they're the best option. They also often are inexpensive (approximately $15-$30). You can find them at most pharmacies, or even order one online. make sure you are not using a wrist cuff, as those types of blood pressure readings may not provide accurate results. What is preferred is a cuff that goes on the bicep closest to the heart. Wrap the cuff around your arm about 1 inch above the elbow, with the lower edge of the cuff snug against the skin. Make sure it's not too tight - this can give inaccurate readings.

2. Make sure the cuff is adequately placed and inflated.

Follow the directions on the blood pressure monitor to ensure taking an accurate measurement. If the blood pressure cuff is either too loose or too tight, it may give an inaccurate reading. Make sure that the cuff is put on, the arrows align to the correct body part, and are not crooked. In addition, ensure that the cuff is completely deflated prior to putting placing it on. Also, ensure proper cuff size- children often need pediatric or child-sized cuffs while some larger adults, either due to weight or increased muscle mass likely will need an extra-large adult or even a thigh cuff to get an appropriate measurement. The size of the cuff does affect accuracy, so this is a very important step.

3. Sit down and rest for a few minutes before taking blood pressure readings.

This can help lower blood pressure readings since blood pressure increases when people stand up from sitting or lying down. While taking a blood pressure measurement, ensure the legs are uncrossed, the arm is close to heart level, and no one is talking (speaking while taking a blood pressure measurement can result in an "Err" or error reading on the device, which may mean starting all over again). Also, try to relax so that your blood pressure isn't higher than normal due to stress or anxiety. If stressed, either emotionally (had a bad day or got into a fight with a loved one) or physically (just went to the gym or not feeling well), physiological changes associated with stress such as slightly elevated blood pressure is expected. It is recommended to mark that the blood pressure reading taken at that time was during a time of stress so if blood pressure is elevated, the doctor can help navigate when elevated blood pressure is appropriate to a situation- for example, write an "S" or the word "stressed" next to your documented blood pressure. It is also helpful to document your heart rate as well.

4. Take multiple measurements and average them.

If the blood pressure seems off, it is recommended you remove the cuff, deflate it again and retry taking blood pressure. Take three readings, at least a minute apart, and record the results. If there is more than a 10-point difference between any two readings, take more readings until you get consistent results, or speak with your physician to ensure the blood pressure cuff is correctly placed, and properly sized and the machine is not broken.

5. Understand your blood pressure:

A blood pressure reading of 120/80 or lower is considered normal blood pressure. Anything over 130/90 may be considered high blood pressure in some cases and should be discussed with your doctor, as this may indicate a need for treatment to prevent organ damage, heart attack, or stroke down the road. The earlier elevated blood pressure is caught and treated; the healthier one can be in the long run. When blood pressure is elevated, it can cause blood vessels to become weaker, leading to blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.

Other recommended steps include changing your diet, making dietary changes, and following a healthy lifestyle. This can help keep blood pressure in check, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Eating more whole fruits, vegetables, fiber, and whole grains, decreasing salt and carbohydrate intake (especially towards the evening), and incorporating physical activity (walking, lifting weights, High-Intensity Interval Training mixed with doing some aerobic exercises such as dancing, spinning or cycling) into your daily routine, and avoiding cigarettes and excessive alcohol consumption, in addition to ensuring good quality deep sleep and lowering stress levels are all great ways to maintain a healthy blood pressure level.

If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may ask you to come in for regular blood pressure readings or prescribe medications to keep it under control. Keeping an eye on blood pressure is an important part of staying healthy and preventing serious health risks. So make sure to get your blood pressure checked regularly by a physician. At Misra Wellness we pride ourselves in educating our patients so they know what is going on with their bodies and how different lifestyle factors can affect overall health. To discuss more ways to optimize your health, call and make an appointment today!