Ignore the first day's readings altogether, because they might not be accurate as you're not familiar with your monitor yet. At the end of the week you will have a useful picture of what your blood pressure is normally like.
At each sitting, measure your blood pressure three times, but discard the first reading as it tends to be inaccurate. Write down the average of the second and third reading. Bringing your latest readings to an appointment helps give your doctor a good idea of what your blood pressure is outside of the office.
The likelihood of a normal second reading depended on the degree of elevation in the first reading. For example, among patients with initial systolic BPs of 140 to 159 mm Hg, roughly 41% dropped to <140 mm Hg on second readings, compared with only about 13% of those with initial systolic BPs of 160 to 180 mm Hg.
Your first blood pressure reading will almost always be higher than the second due to a wide range of factors, both environmental and psychological. These factors include white coat syndrome, stress, and having a full bladder.
Systolic pressure (the first number in a blood pressure reading) measures the force with which the heart pumps blood into the arteries. Diastolic pressure (the second, lower number) reflects the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.
Q. When I am monitoring my blood pressure, which number is most important — top, bottom, or both? A. While both numbers in a blood pressure reading are essential for diagnosing and treating high blood pressure, doctors primarily focus on the top number, also known as systolic pressure.
It is recommended to wait at least 1 minute between blood pressure (BP) readings.
Recent home BP guidelines have stated that the average of the first and second readings should be used for clinical practice [13,14], but taking the average SBP of the second and third readings may best predict the awake SBP [20].
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers, the systolic pressure (the pressure when the heart beats) over the diastolic pressure (the pressure when the heart relaxes between beats). We record this with the systolic pressure first (on the top) and the diastolic pressure second (below).
It's actually quite normal. A difference of more than 10 points, though, could suggest trouble. In younger people, side-to-side differences in blood pressure can occur when a muscle or something else compresses an artery supplying the arm, or by a structural problem that prevents smooth blood flow through an artery.
Getting into the habit of checking your blood pressure in the morning and again before bed is generally the best practice. For the A.M. reading, don't take it immediately when you wake up; however, you should measure before breakfast or your morning coffee.
When it comes to blood pressure, one reading may not be enough. Forty-six percent of Americans have high blood pressure, but studies show when it's taken twice at your doctor's office - with at least one minute in between - the second reading is typically lower and a more accurate measurement.
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood on the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood around your body. Blood pressure does not stay the same all the time. It changes to meet your body's needs and it is normal for your blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day.
Everyone's blood pressure rises and falls many times during the course of a single day, sometimes even within minutes. Many factors contribute to these changes, including physical activity, emotion, body position, diet (especially salt and alcohol intake), and sleep deprivation.
Most studies show a greater risk of cardiovascular disease (especially strokes) related to high systolic pressure as opposed to elevated diastolic pressure.
Blood Pressure Cuff Placement
If the cuff is too small, it can add 2 to 10 points to your bp measurement. Be sure to roll up your sleeve for a blood pressure test and also let your doctor know if the cuff feels too tight around your arm.
Blood pressure typically drops in the late afternoon and evening. Blood pressure is usually lower at night while sleeping. The blood pressure measurement at night is called nocturnal blood pressure.
For 30% of them, the systolic pressure—the first number of a blood pressure reading—was 5 mm Hg or more different from the office reference measurement. The diastolic pressure (second number) was similarly inaccurate. "In one patient, the pressure was off by 21 mm Hg," Dr. Hiremath says.
Anxiety doesn't cause long-term high blood pressure (hypertension). But episodes of anxiety can cause dramatic, temporary spikes in blood pressure.
Don't check your blood pressure too often.
Some people find that they become worried or stressed about small changes in their readings if they take them too often. Worrying can also raise your blood pressure in the short term, making your reading higher than it should be.
Taking your blood pressure at home can help doctors see the trend. “But I caution patients not to take it every five minutes, which can happen if they are concerned about high readings. That becomes a bad cycle. Do it intermittently—once or twice a week,” she said.
At what time of day is your blood pressure highest? Blood pressure follows a circadian rhythm with a peak in the morning. 6 It should have a decline during nighttime rest. If your pressure doesn't drop at night, it could be a sign of a problem.
It's normal for blood pressure to vary somewhat throughout the day. Stress, exercise, and sleep can all make a difference. But if your blood pressure often changes significantly from one healthcare visit to another, there may a problem.