BP monitoring at home dos and don'ts

- Feb 28, 2024 by Dr. Akhila Sunder

Back

Blood pressure monitoring at home is important

  1. To diagnose high blood pressure readings or hypertension early to avoid complications.
  2. It is important to maintain a diary and make a note of all the BP readings whenever checked, as a single reading of blood pressure doesn’t help to diagnose hypertension or a need of medication unless, the BP reading is very high.
  3. To ensure normal blood pressure is maintained and to keep a check on the blood pressure in individuals whose medications or dose of medications for hypertension are adjusted or if lifestyle changes are made, recently.
  4. To avoid biased blood pressure readings as many individuals tend to get anxious, stressed at the doctor’s clinic giving a false high blood pressure called white coat hypertension.
  5. To avoid frequent visits to the doctor to get blood pressure checked.
  6. If one feels dizzy, lightheaded after waking up from bed/on standing from sitting position, it is recommended to check blood pressure on standing and sitting position as well to check if there is a fall in BP on standing.
Pre-requisites for blood pressure recording:
  1. Avoid smoking, food, alcohol intake, exercises, caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, aerated drinks, etc. at least 30 minutes before checking blood pressure.
  2. Sit in a comfortable position, stay calm and relaxed for at least 5 minutes before measuring the blood pressure.
  3. Sit straight with a back rest, with feet flat on the surface of floor (without cross-legged) and resting the elbow and forearm relaxed and flat on a cushion/a pillow with upper arm at the heart level.
  4. Do not talk, do not make a fist but keep the hand and arms relaxed while BP is being measured.
  5. The cuff of the BP apparatus should cover at least 80% of the upper arm with its lower part placed just above the elbow crease.
  6. Make sure the cuff is of right size of the arm while buying the BP apparatus.
  7. Do not tie the cuff too tight or too loose to get accurate reading.
  8. The cuff should be tied over arm but best not over sleeve/clothing to avoid false readings of BP.
  9. The readings should be taken only at the same time every day, ideally in the morning (not immediately after waking up) but before breakfast and in the evening.
  10. At least two readings of blood pressure should be taken about 2-3 minutes apart to get accurate measurement.
  11. Make sure the BP apparatus that is going to be used at home and the procedure of measuring BP by self is correct by practicing once before the treating doctor.
  12. Start measuring blood pressure every day at least after 2 weeks of starting a new dose or a new medication for hypertension and at least 1 week before next appointment with the doctor.

References

Back