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Why you should consider checking your blood pressure at home
It is advisable for people with blood pressure problems to keep track of their readings at home.
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People with white-coat hypertension tend to get extremely anxious when surrounded by doctors and nurses. (Shutterstock/*)
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hecking your blood pressure at home can give a different result from that provided by a nurse at a clinic. Even if the devices used in both places are accurate, many factors can influence the readings. Therefore, it is advisable for people with blood pressure problems to keep track of their blood pressure readings at home.
White-coat hypertension
People with “white-coat hypertension” tend to get extremely anxious when surrounded by doctors and nurses. Their blood pressure spikes as soon as they are in the doctor’s office, even if they do not actually have hypertension. If they do not monitor their blood pressure at home, they could be misdiagnosed as having hypertension.
Other people have “white-coat hypotension”, which is extremely dangerous as they may have high blood pressure. However, a doctor may be unable to tell because their pressure will automatically drop during medical visits.
The first step is to buy the right device. Although there are a variety of monitoring devices on the market, few of them are actually accurate. You may ask your doctor for recommendations. After you buy it, take your device to the doctor’s office to check if it aligns with the one used there.
(Read also: Tips to protect your child from high blood pressure)
How to measure blood pressure
Find a quiet place to measure your blood pressure. Use a comfortable chair, and rest for a while with your arm at heart level. Remember to empty your bladder before checking your blood pressure as a full bladder might affect the result. Remove any tight clothing. After 10 minutes, sit up with your back straight and legs uncrossed.
Both manual and digital monitors are suitable. You just need to read the directions carefully. All monitors come with a step-by-step instruction booklet. Make sure you do everything as it is supposed to be to get the most accurate reading. Learning how to use the monitor is as important as buying a good one. A pricey monitor will not do you any good if you misuse it.
Your diet and activities during the day have an impact on your blood pressure. As a result, the best readings are those taken in the morning and right before bed. One measurement at a time is usually not enough. Do it twice each time for precise results.
Keep a record to see how you are doing by writing down the date, time and readings. If you have been through an unusual situation or stressful event, put it down too. Your emotions can significantly affect your blood pressure. (kes)
