How To Take The Blood Pressure

Don t round your measurements up.

How to take the blood pressure. Before you take your blood pressure reading. Simply reverse the sides to take a blood pressure in your. Your blood pressure can be taken with a mercury blood pressure gauge an aneroid manometer or an electronic device for measuring the blood pressure as long as the device has been recently calibrated and validated. Some blood pressure machines now come with a printer.

Take your bp medicines as directed. When your systolic pressure is between 120 and 129 mm hg and your diastolic pressure is less than 80. Do not measure your blood pressure within 30 minutes of drinking caffeine or smoking. It s best to take blood pressure from the left arm if possible rest in a chair next to a table for five to 10 minutes.

200 over 120 is an extreme blood pressure and hints at a mistake in your reading. Diastolic blood pressure is always the lower reading and so is noted beneath the systolic pressure. A few minutes after you ve taken your blood pressure it s a good idea to check it again to make sure the readings are similar and accurate. Your left arm should rest comfortably at heart level.

What not to do when taking your own blood pressure. Qardio every time your heart beats it pumps blood through your circulatory system putting pressure on your blood. With rare exceptions blood pressure gauges found in supermarkets or pharmacies aren t properly maintained and shouldn t be used. Do not stop taking your medicines if your blood pressure is at your goal.

Many things can make your blood pressure rise for a short time. Keep a log of your bp readings and bring it to your follow up visits. A blood pressure at your goal means your medicine is working correctly. Numbers higher than 120 80 mm hg are a red flag that you need to take on heart healthy habits.

This allows you to stick your print outs in your diary. Right upon waking up before breakfast and taking medication before lunch before dinner. Taking your blood pressure at home is easy with a digital blood pressure monitor. Make sure you do not need to use the toilet and that you have not just eaten a big meal.

Bring your bp monitor to your follow up visit.