You should take your blood pressure in the morning shortly after waking, but not immediately; wait about 5 minutes to sit quietly, after emptying your bladder, and before eating, drinking coffee, or taking medication, to get an accurate reading that reflects the typical morning rise. The key is consistency, so measure at roughly the same time daily, and ensure you've rested for a few minutes beforehand, with your back supported and feet flat on the floor.
What Causes High Blood Pressure in the Morning? Experts consider a blood pressure of less than 120/80 mmHg to be normal. Any reading above this can be considered high or elevated — however, a single reading that is slightly elevated is typically not concerning.
The high reliability of morning BP measurement may lead to a more accurate assessment of stroke risks. Therefore, we emphasize that the management of hypertension should be based on morning BP levels in routine clinical practice.
(Finger or wrist monitors are not considered reliable.) The blood pressure cuff needs to fit well, since cuffs that are too small will give falsely elevated readings. "I have a patient who was getting very high readings that were different in both arms," Dr. Cannon says.
Your healthcare professional might recommend taking your blood pressure at the same times each day. Don't measure your blood pressure right after you wake up. You can prepare for the day, but don't eat breakfast or take medicine before measuring your blood pressure.
The 60-second trick to lower blood pressure involves deep, controlled breathing, often called "square breathing," where you inhale for 4-5 seconds, hold for 4-5, and exhale for 4-5, repeating to calm your nervous system and slow heart rate, alongside other quick tactics like sipping water, splashing your face with cold water (mammalian dive reflex), or gentle movement. While these provide quick relief, remember consistent lifestyle changes are key for long-term management, and severe spikes need medical attention.
Blood pressure has a daily pattern. Usually, blood pressure starts to rise a few hours before a person wakes up. It continues to rise during the day, peaking in midday. Blood pressure typically drops in the late afternoon and evening.
Stretch out your arm, palm upward. Place the cuff on your bare upper arm one inch above the bend of your elbow. Make sure the tubing falls over the front center of your arm so that the sensor is correctly placed. Pull the end of the cuff so that it's evenly tight around your arm.
Physician- or health professional-related
One common error in the clinical setting is failure to include a five-minute rest period. Errors can also include talking during the measurement procedure, using an incorrect cuff size and failure to take multiple measurements.
Before you get your blood pressure checked, sit down, quiet your mind, and breathe deeply for a few minutes. Come prepared. Come with a list of questions to address and a mental plan for the appointment. The more in control you feel during visits, the better equipped you'll be to control your breathing and remain calm.
Yes, extremely high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis) can cause vomiting and sometimes diarrhea, often alongside severe headaches, confusion, dizziness, or vision changes, indicating damage to organs like the brain; while regular hypertension usually has no symptoms, these gastrointestinal issues signal a medical emergency requiring immediate care. Diarrhea can also stem from certain blood pressure medications or related electrolyte imbalances like high potassium (hyperkalemia), but severe vomiting with high BP needs urgent attention.
Blood pressure has a daily pattern. Usually, blood pressure starts to rise a few hours before a person wakes up. It continues to rise during the day, peaking in midday. Blood pressure typically drops in the late afternoon and evening.
Normal blood pressure for kids isn't a single number; it depends on their age, sex, and height, generally increasing as they grow, with normal readings often below the 90th percentile for their group, though specific ranges shift, such as toddlers (1-3 yrs) around 90/60 to 107/78 mmHg, school-aged kids (6-12 yrs) roughly 90/59 to 121/80 mmHg, and teens (13+) closer to adult ranges (under 120/80 mmHg).
High blood pressure in pregnancy is generally defined as a systolic (top number) reading of 140 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic (bottom number) reading of 90 mmHg or higher, confirmed on two occasions at least four hours apart, and developing after 20 weeks of pregnancy without a prior history of hypertension. This condition, known as gestational hypertension, differs from chronic hypertension (pre-existing high BP) or preeclampsia (high BP with signs of organ damage like protein in urine), and requires close monitoring.
A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg is Stage 2 hypertension, which needs medical attention and lifestyle changes, but usually not an immediate hospital trip unless you have severe symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, vision changes, or signs of stroke, in which case you should call for emergency help (like 911/000) immediately. For a single reading, it's best to recheck after relaxing and then contact your doctor for advice and follow-up, as persistent readings above 140/90 warrant a check-up to prevent long-term damage.
Common causes of high blood pressure spikes
Stage 1 hypertension.
The top number is between 130 and 139 mm-Hg or the bottom number is between 80 and 89 mm-Hg.
Experts think that sleep helps the body control hormones needed to control stress and metabolism. Over time, a lack of sleep could cause swings in hormones. Hormone changes can lead to high blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease.
Your healthcare professional might recommend taking your blood pressure at the same times each day. Don't measure your blood pressure right after you wake up. You can prepare for the day, but don't eat breakfast or take medicine before measuring your blood pressure.
Increased, sympathetic nervous system activity and activation of the renin-angiotensin system have both been determined to be possible contributors to increases in vascular resistance and the morning BP surge.
Before you get your blood pressure checked, sit down, quiet your mind, and breathe deeply for a few minutes. Come prepared. Come with a list of questions to address and a mental plan for the appointment. The more in control you feel during visits, the better equipped you'll be to control your breathing and remain calm.
One of the most common complaints associated with hypertension is headache pain. Hypertension increases the pressure on blood vessels in your head and neck, which can trigger severe headaches. In particular, a hypertensive headache may feel similar to a dull, pressing sensation on both sides of the head.
Early detection of high blood pressure is very important. Often referred to as the “silent killer” because it may show no symptoms, high blood pressure puts you at an increased risk for heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, among other things.