6 tips for getting an accurate blood pressure measurement at home
Having healthy blood pressure cuts your risk of heart disease and other health issues. But measuring blood pressure can be tricky, with a number of factors causing it to vary. How can you be sure the numbers are right?
“Accurate blood pressure measure is an important topic to patients, and they often ask about it,” said Peter Chiotellis, MD, FACC, a cardiologist at the Heart Center of Cape Cod in Hyannis. “We know that adequate blood pressure reduces major cardiovascular events like stroke, heart attack and heart failure, and that’s the main reason we check it.”
If you monitor your blood pressure at home, here are some steps Dr. Chiotellis recommends for accurate readings.
Be consistent – “I tell patients to measure their blood pressure in the morning before they take any medication. If they want to recheck it, the other time would be in the evening. But sporadically during the day is not all that useful,” he said. Typically, blood pressure is lower in the morning and rises throughout the day, peaking in midday.
Either arm can be used for a reading, as long as it’s consistent. “If you do both arms and there’s a significant difference, that’s something that you should make your doctor aware of.”
Relax before testing – “You want to be relaxed,” he said. Hold off on coffee and do not smoke or take anything with nicotine. Also refrain from exercising for 30 minutes before taking your blood pressure. Sit quietly for a few minutes before you begin the test. Don’t hold your breath or do any exaggerated breathing.
Sit comfortably – Make sure your feet are flat on the floor, your legs aren’t crossed, and that you’re in a comfortable position. It’s important to have your arm resting at heart level, said Dr. Chiotellis.
Place the cuff properly – The inflatable part of the cuff should cover most of your upper arm. Placing it on bare skin is better than over a shirt. “If a shirt’s too tight, it acts a little bit like a tourniquet and that could affect the reading,” he said.
Don’t talk during the measurement – It’s best to avoid distractions in general, he said. “If you’re in a stressful conversation or if someone’s making you laugh, that could change the numbers a little bit.”
Measure your blood pressure several times – Take two or three readings a few minutes apart and then average them out. “I think that’s the smartest way of doing it. But I always tell patients not to do it excessively because it’s going to lead to unnecessary anxiety,” said Dr. Chiotellis.
You shouldn’t worry about small day-to-day variations in your readings, he added. “Any environmental interactions can affect blood pressure. That’s why I tell patients it’s always changing from second to second. You’ll never get the same reading all the time.”
Blood pressure goals vary depending on a person’s age and whether or not they have diabetes.
The Ideal Numbers
“Most of my patients are over 65. If they’re not really frail or elderly, we aim for less than 130 over 80. If I have someone who’s a lot older and may feel more frail, then less than 140 over 90 is acceptable. That’s a general guideline,” said Dr. Chiotellis.
It’s advisable to keep a log of your blood pressure readings, he said. While a one-time spike in blood pressure might be explained by a stressful day or extra salt in your diet, you should call your doctor if you have a pattern of elevated readings.
