How to take your blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 20 2008
Q: What is the correct way to take your blood pressure?
A: For a good discussion on this topic including use of several types of monitors click here.
Tags: how to measure blood pressure, measuring blood pressure, Measuring Your BPWhat time of day to take your blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 21 2008
Q: How often should I take my blood pressure measurements? Every day or once a week? Morning or Night?
A: How often you need to take your blood pressure depends upon many factors including whether you have pre-hypertension, controlled hypertension, or uncontrolled hypertension. Ask your doctor how frequently you need to be monitored. Early morning high blood pressure has been associated with a greater risk of stroke.
Tags: how to measure blood pressure, Measuring Your BP, morning hypertension, pre-hypertension, stroke, uncontrolled high blood pressure, uncontrolled hypertension, when to take blood pressureWhich arm should be used to measure blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 26 2007
Q: There is always a slight difference between measuring my right and left arm. Which arm should I measure?
A: It is well recognized that there is a variation in blood pressure results when taken on both arms. This does not appear to be related to being left or right handed and the difference usually isn’t significant. If readings are consistently higher in one arm than the other, this is the arm that should be used.
Tags: accurate blood pressure reading, how to measure blood pressure, measuring blood pressure, Measuring Your BPWearing a long sleeve shirt when measuring blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Sep 24 2007
Q: Can you get an accurate BP reading over a long sleeve shirt?
A: According to an article published in the Journal of Internal Medicine in June 1993 click here to read, there is no statistical difference in blood pressure taken over a sleeve versus that taken over a bare arm. The shirt must be loose and not constrict the arm. Rolling up a sleeve to bare the arm can cause constriction and lead to an inaccurate blood pressure reading.
Tags: b, Blood pressure monitor, how to measure blood pressure, Measuring Your BPPosture for taking your blood pressure
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Aug 09 2007
Q: Is it ok to take your BP while lying in bed or reclining in a chair?
A: The standard position for taking blood pressure is in the seated upright position with the arm resting on a table at mid-chest level. Results obtained in other positions may not be accurate. A common error is having the arm placed below the level of the heart.
Tags: accurate blood pressure reading, how to measure blood pressure, Measuring Your BPHow to measure blood pressure correctly
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Apr 19 2007
Q: What is the correct procedure for doctors when checking blood pressure?
A: Most doctors use a device called a sphygmomanometer to check blood pressure. Proper arm positioning and use of the appropriate sized cuff are important in obtaining an accurate reading. Specific details on proper use of a sphygmomanometer can be found by clicking here.
Tags: accurate blood pressure reading, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, how to measure blood pressure, Measuring Your BPWhy does the doctor take only 1 bp reading?
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Apr 19 2007
Q: One of the tips from RESPeRATE is to average three checks of blood pressure. Sounds good to me. So why, when I go to the doctor, does he only take one measurement and makes decisions on this one measurement?
A: When an initial blood pressure reading is normal at a doctor visit, for the sake of time, it is usually just recorded on the chart. With repeated visits, multiple blood pressure readings end up being recorded so the doctor has a clear idea of what your blood pressure is doing. With an abnormal initial reading, doctors have their own protocol. Some will wait 15-20 minutes to recheck your pressure. Others will want you to schedule several return visits just for a blood pressure check.
Tags: how to measure blood pressure, Measuring Your BP
