Your Blood Pressure at Home
If you are worried about your blood pressure, you may want to keep an eye on it by monitoring it at home.
Always make sure you keep up your regular doctor visits as high blood pressure may lead to many other conditions and can be serious.
If you have changed your lifestyle recently and your blood pressure hasn't changed too, then it can get frustrating.
Keep a record of your blood pressure numbers in a book or on a notepad.
You can also take this to the doctor's office when you go.
You can also adjust your diet and other things if the pressure is still elevated above the normal.
There is a wide choice of home monitoring equipment you can use.
An aneroid monitor has a dial gauge and uses a pointer to read the numbers.
A digital monitor comes with a manual or automatic cuff.
Using a digital monitor - the reading flashing in LCD or LED on a screen and is easy to read.
Finger or wrist monitors are less effective than a regular monitor.
They are not as accurate, are prone to being movement sensitive and they cost more, too.
If you have large circumference arms, then vbe sure and get the largest cuff you can (they will usually state what it'll go around on the box).
A special size may have to be ordered.
If the cuff size is not correct then the reading will be off.
Your doctor will be able to offer advice on this.
They can also show you how to use the monitor correctly.
Do not drink any caffeine, alcohol or use tobacco products for thirty minutes prior to checking.
Use the restroom first as well.
A full bladder puts pressure on anyone and you don't need that added in.
Relax and don't talk at least three to five minutes before taking a reading.
Be comfortable and don't cross your legs or arms.
Keep your back straight.
As you strap the cuff on, make sure your arm is at the same level as your heart and rest it on a solid surface.
Fit the cuff around your arm snug enough so that a finger can pass through.
The bottom of the cuff should be an inch from the crease of your elbow, for proper placement.
Do understand what the numbers mean before taking your pressure.
Normal is about 120/80 and high is 160/100 or higher.
If you are in between you could be hypertensive and should discuss this with your doctor.
Because of home monitoring you can get a head start if your blood pressure starts to go up, and therefore, a better chance to make for a healthier lifestyle.
Always make sure you keep up your regular doctor visits as high blood pressure may lead to many other conditions and can be serious.
If you have changed your lifestyle recently and your blood pressure hasn't changed too, then it can get frustrating.
Keep a record of your blood pressure numbers in a book or on a notepad.
You can also take this to the doctor's office when you go.
You can also adjust your diet and other things if the pressure is still elevated above the normal.
There is a wide choice of home monitoring equipment you can use.
An aneroid monitor has a dial gauge and uses a pointer to read the numbers.
A digital monitor comes with a manual or automatic cuff.
Using a digital monitor - the reading flashing in LCD or LED on a screen and is easy to read.
Finger or wrist monitors are less effective than a regular monitor.
They are not as accurate, are prone to being movement sensitive and they cost more, too.
If you have large circumference arms, then vbe sure and get the largest cuff you can (they will usually state what it'll go around on the box).
A special size may have to be ordered.
If the cuff size is not correct then the reading will be off.
Your doctor will be able to offer advice on this.
They can also show you how to use the monitor correctly.
Do not drink any caffeine, alcohol or use tobacco products for thirty minutes prior to checking.
Use the restroom first as well.
A full bladder puts pressure on anyone and you don't need that added in.
Relax and don't talk at least three to five minutes before taking a reading.
Be comfortable and don't cross your legs or arms.
Keep your back straight.
As you strap the cuff on, make sure your arm is at the same level as your heart and rest it on a solid surface.
Fit the cuff around your arm snug enough so that a finger can pass through.
The bottom of the cuff should be an inch from the crease of your elbow, for proper placement.
Do understand what the numbers mean before taking your pressure.
Normal is about 120/80 and high is 160/100 or higher.
If you are in between you could be hypertensive and should discuss this with your doctor.
Because of home monitoring you can get a head start if your blood pressure starts to go up, and therefore, a better chance to make for a healthier lifestyle.