How are you? Today we are going to talk about something that is important to many people. That is blood pressure, or as we call it, measuring blood pressure. Although this is a very simple thing, it is a test that says a lot about our health . Since it can often increase without showing any major symptoms, it is very important to measure and know this correctly. Let's see how to do this exactly and what you need to know?
When should I measure my blood pressure?
Actually, you can measure your blood pressure every day. But if you do, it's best to measure it at the same time every day . For example, you can measure it at the same time every morning and/or at the same time every evening.
Also, imagine that you have started a new medication for your blood pressure. If that happens, you can check your blood pressure for a few days in a row, about two weeks after starting the medication, to see if the medication is working properly.
Also, it is very useful to measure and record your blood pressure for about a week before going to see a doctor. Then the doctor can also know what your normal blood pressure is at home. Did you know? Some people have something called 'White Coat Syndrome' . That is, when you go to a doctor, your blood pressure may appear to be slightly higher due to a little nervousness or tension in the hospital. But when you check it at home, it is normal. On the other hand, some people may have high blood pressure at home. That is why the doctor also checks the readings you take at home.
Your doctor will usually check your blood pressure in the following situations:
- Monitor your blood pressure while you are receiving treatment in the hospital.
- Check to see if you have high blood pressure or low blood pressure.
- Check if the medicine prescribed for you is working properly.
- Find out how much risk you have of developing cardiovascular diseases.
- Decide if certain medical treatments are risky for you.
- Decide whether you can do certain jobs or play sports.
How does this pressure measuring machine work?
You've probably seen a band that you put around your arm. We also call it a `cuff`. This is connected to a small meter (`pressure gauge`) on the machine. So, when this band is tightened around your arm, the blood flow to that area of your arm stops for a while. Then when you loosen the band, the blood starts flowing again. At that moment, the machine measures the amount of blood pushing through your arteries (a type of blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and organs of our body), that is, the minimum and maximum pressure . Simple, right?
What do you need to do to measure your blood pressure accurately?
When you measure your blood pressure at home, follow these tips to get the most accurate reading :
- You should stop smoking, eating, exercising, and drinking coffee at least 30 minutes before taking your blood pressure. You know what? These things can temporarily change your blood pressure, and the reading may not be accurate.
- Go to the washroom to empty your bladder. A full bladder can also affect the pressure.
- Sit comfortably in a chair (a sofa is not so good) for at least five minutes to measure your blood pressure.
- Make sure you are sitting up straight, without crossing your legs, and with both feet flat on the floor.
- Place the arm you are measuring your blood pressure on a table, keep your arm at heart level, and relax your arm thoroughly.
- Use a cuff that is the right size for your arm. For most people, a large adult cuff is fine. Using a smaller cuff can give you an inaccurate reading.
- Wrap the blood pressure cuff around your upper arm (just above the elbow). You can use either your left or right arm.
- Check to see if your arm is trapped between the cuff and your skin. The cuff should be directly on your skin. It's best to wear a short-sleeved shirt. That way, you won't have to roll up your arm.
Imagine, if you do all this correctly and check the pressure, the reading you get will be largely accurate.
How to check your blood pressure at home with an automatic machine
When measuring your blood pressure, you should remain calm and quiet. Don't talk or watch videos on your phone.
If you have an automatic blood pressure monitor, follow these steps:
- Press a button on the machine, inflate the cuff, and tighten it.
- The cuff will automatically deflate and you just have to wait a moment for the measurement to be taken. That's it!
After you measure your blood pressure once, you can wait a minute or two and take another measurement. That way, you can get a more accurate idea.
How does a doctor check blood pressure?
Sometimes doctors measure blood pressure manually using a stethoscope and a pressure cuff. This is how they do it:
- The cuff that is wrapped around your arm is inflated and tightened.
- Then, as the cuff is slowly deflated, the stethoscope is used to listen for the pulse in your arm's main artery (the brachial artery).
- They take a measurement when they hear the sound of blood moving.
- I'm deflating the cuff a little more.
- I'm checking the pressure again.
But now, most doctors measure your blood pressure with an automatic machine.
After measuring the pressure? Are there any risks?
Once the pressure is measured, you (or the doctor) will remove the cuff. You will not experience any side effects from this test. You can continue with your normal activities.
You may feel a little discomfort as the pressure cuff tightens around your arm. But this test only takes about a minute, and your arm is compressed for even less time, so it's not a big deal.
What does a pressure reading mean? How do you understand it?
You can see the results as soon as you measure your blood pressure. You will receive two numbers:
- The top number, the first number, or `Systolic` pressure: This refers to the pressure inside your arteries when your heart beats, that is, when it pumps blood.
- The bottom number, the second number, or `Diastolic` pressure: This refers to the pressure inside the arteries when your heart relaxes a little to prepare for the next beat.
These two numbers are usually written with a dash in the middle, like this: 120/80. This is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Blood pressure readings can be low, normal, or high.
- Normal: 120/80 mmHg or less.
- Slightly elevated: The upper value is between 120 and 129 and the lower value is 80 mmHg or less.
- High blood pressure - Stage 1 high blood pressure: A systolic reading between 130 and 139 mmHg or a diastolic reading between 80 and 89 mmHg.
- Stage 2 high blood pressure: Upper reading 140 mmHg or higher / Lower reading 90 mmHg or higher. (Even if either of these is present, you fall into this stage.)
- Hypertensive crisis: The upper number is greater than 180 mmHg and/or the lower number is greater than 120 mmHg. This is an emergency!
But one thing to keep in mind. People of different ages, and those with certain medical conditions (for example, someone who has recently had a stroke), may have different personal blood pressure goals than these average adult levels. It is important to talk to the doctor who is managing your blood pressure (such as a general practitioner, cardiologist, or nephrologist) to find out exactly what your personal blood pressure goals are.
What if the reading is abnormal? What to do next?
Just because you have a high blood pressure reading doesn't mean you have high blood pressure. Don't panic!
To accurately determine whether you have high blood pressure, your doctor will need two or more readings taken on two separate days. They will also use a lot of data collected over time.
If your doctor confirms that you have high blood pressure, he or she will prescribe medication for you. There are many different types of medications to treat high blood pressure. Your doctor will review your medical history and choose the right one for you. Some people may need to take two or three medications to control their blood pressure.
In addition to taking medication, and maybe even without medication, we need to make some small lifestyle changes. Consider these things:
- Maintaining a healthy weight for you.
- Exercising at least 150 minutes a week.
- Reducing the amount of salt you consume from food to less than 1,500 milligrams per day.
- Eating lots of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and reducing saturated fats.
- Completely avoiding tobacco products.
- Limit your alcohol intake to one or two glasses a day. (The less you drink, the better!)
When do you need to see a doctor?
If you get a high reading, wait a while and check again. If the readings continue to be high, be sure to inform your doctor. If your values are at the level of `Hypertensive crisis`, call your doctor immediately.
If your blood pressure is at the level of a `Hypertensive crisis` and you have any of these symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Back pain
- Vision changes
- Difficulty speaking
- Numbness
- Headache
Also, if your blood pressure is very low (low blood pressure) , that is also a condition that requires medical advice. Some symptoms of low blood pressure are:
- Feeling very tired
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Syncope (fainting)
So, the last things to remember are
Measuring your blood pressure is a very useful tool that helps your doctor assess your health. Knowing how to measure your blood pressure at home gives you the freedom to check it whenever you want.
If your blood pressure reading is in the normal range, it can give you peace of mind. It can also give you an indication that you may need treatment for high blood pressure, which can be asymptomatic. Don't panic if you have a single high reading. It takes more than that to determine if you have high blood pressure. So, always talk to your doctor about this and follow the necessary instructions. Then you can stay healthy!
` Blood pressure, blood pressure, pressure measurement, high blood pressure, systolic, diastolic, heart disease
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