Precautions for measuring blood pressure at home

Why measure blood pressure at home?

4 benefits of measuring blood pressure at home

1. Avoid being nervous: Some people feel nervous when seeing a doctor, causing blood pressure measurements in the hospital to always be higher, which is the so-called "white coat hypertension." Measuring blood pressure at home can improve this situation.

2. Be responsible for yourself: Establishing the habit of measuring your own blood pressure can help you understand your own blood pressure status, making you more responsible and motivated to maintain your blood pressure within the standard range.

3. Convenient and time-saving: Having a blood pressure monitor at home can save you the trouble of going to the hospital or clinic every time your blood pressure is measured.

4. Help doctors treat your condition: The blood pressure values recorded at home are also one of the considerations doctors take into consideration to understand your condition or making relevant medical decisions.

Video: How to use electronic blood pressure to measure blood pressure at home

Steps to measure blood pressure at home

You should pay attention to the following:

1. Do not move, talk or cross your legs while taking your blood pressure.

2. Put on the arm bag cuff: The front edge of the arm cuff needs to be fixed 2 to 3 centimeters above the inward bend of the elbow. Then adjust the elasticity so that the arm bag is about 1 finger width from the shoulder of the arm, and place the center of the arm bag at the brachial artery (elbow).

3. After tying the arm cuff, bend your arms slightly and place them quietly on the table at the same height as your heart, with your palms facing up.

4. If you use an electronic blood pressure monitor, you can directly press the button to start measurement;

5. The electronic blood pressure monitor will automatically display the blood pressure reading and relax the arm bag afterwards.

6. If you do not need to use it again, you can remove the arm bag and put the blood pressure monitor away, and record your blood pressure and the measurement date and time. You can even record your daily activities, such as what time you took your medicine, Mood and stress can help doctors adjust your medications more based on your condition.

When should you take your blood pressure? How many times do you need to measure?

Understand the "722" blood pressure measurement principle

People over the age of 18 should have their blood pressure measured at home at least once a year, in accordance with the 722 (please measure) principle:

"7": Measure for 7 consecutive days.
"2": Measure once each time after getting up in the morning and before going to bed at night.
"2": Measure blood pressure 2 times each time, with at least 1 minute interval in between.

Guideline on measuring blood pressure at home: Posture, location, time

1. The arm bag must be able to surround the upper arm at least 1 and a half times and cover 2/3 of the upper arm. The circumference of the arm bag must exceed 80% of the upper arm circumference.

2. A high blood pressure value does not necessarily mean you have high blood pressure. Your measurement method, mood, and time may cause changes in blood pressure, so it is recommended to continue measuring for at least 1 to 2 weeks before making a judgment.

3. Usually blood pressure is higher in the morning and lower in the evening, so it is recommended to measure your blood pressure at least twice a day, for example once after getting up and once before going to bed, to obtain the average blood pressure.

4. Since the blood pressure of the left and right arms may be different, when measuring blood pressure for the first time, please measure the blood pressure of one arm after an interval of 1 to 2 minutes, and then measure the other arm again. The blood pressure value of the higher value shall prevail. Just measure that arm. However, if the blood pressure difference between the left and right hands is too large (more than 20mmHg), it may mean that there is a disease in the blood vessels, and you should seek medical examination as soon as possible.

Preparation prior tor measure blood pressure at home

Before measuring blood pressure, you may want to do the following:

1. Make sure you are comfortable and relaxed, and avoid taking your blood pressure after activity, when you are angry, or wearing heavy clothing.

2. You should avoid smoking, eating, caffeinated drinks, exercising, and going to the toilet 30 minutes before taking your blood pressure to keep your mood calm.

3． If you are not using an electronic blood pressure monitor, please keep the measurement environment quiet so that you can hear your pulse clearly.

4. Before taking your blood pressure, you should sit in a chair and rest for at least 5 minutes, avoiding crossing your legs.

Each blood pressure measurement should be recorded to facilitate tracking of long-term trend in blood pressure for doctors to use as a reference for diagnosis.