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.
In the American Heart Association BP measurement guideline [12], the following statement was described without any citation: 'three readings should be taken in succession, separated by at least 1 min. The first is typically the highest, and the average should be used as the blood pressure reading.
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.
Take your blood pressure at the same time every day. Take at least two readings, 1 or 2 minutes apart.
It's normal for there to be small changes in your 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.
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.
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.
you need to take the blood pressure up to 5 times in a row without a pause if the values are elevated, until you get a stable measurement. 131/85 (20 point drop!) Note that I did switch arms at the end for the final reading and the above measurements were taken in rapid succession, one after the other without a pause.
A BP cuff that is too large will give falsely low readings, while an overly small cuff will provide readings that are falsely high.
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. Blood pressure is usually lower at night while sleeping.
Average your readings: Hypertension specialists recommend taking three readings and then averaging the last two for the most accurate measurement.
Anxiety doesn't cause long-term high blood pressure (hypertension). But episodes of anxiety can cause dramatic, temporary spikes in blood pressure.
Check it twice
It's ideal to measure your blood pressure twice a day for two weeks leading up to a doctor's appointment, or following a change in medication. At each sitting, measure your blood pressure three times, but discard the first reading as it tends to be inaccurate.
“Blood pressure is at its lowest when we sleep, goes up a bit in the morning when we wake up, and then it often goes down again by mid-morning after you sit down and have a little breakfast.”
People age 18 and older with optimal blood pressure and no heart disease risk factors should have a blood pressure test at least once every 2 to 5 years. People age 40 and older — or younger with an increased risk of high blood pressure — should have a blood pressure test every year.
The change in systolic blood pressure readings in the second measurement could be attributed to regression to the mean and other factors as well, but the observed decrease remains clinically important as it would help you get the right treatment & medication.
Ideally, measure your blood pressure 6 times, discard the first and average the last 5 readings. This method has a closer correlation with 24h Ambulatory blood pressure measurements. If this is difficult it would be acceptable to measure your BP 5 times in a row and record the last 2 readings.
The study found: Blood pressure readings taken at home were consistent with ABPM. Blood pressure readings based on follow-up clinic visits were significantly lower for the systolic measure, leading to over half of the people with hypertension based on ABPM being missed.
Call 911 or emergency medical services if your blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or greater and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of stroke. Stroke symptoms include numbness or tingling, trouble speaking, or changes in vision.
Insomnia is linked to high blood pressure and heart disease. Over time, poor sleep can also lead to unhealthy habits that can hurt your heart, including higher stress levels, less motivation to be physically active, and unhealthy food choices.
Yes, high blood pressure can make you tired, especially if it causes one or more complications. However, not everyone who has high blood pressure will experience fatigue and extreme tiredness. If you are feeling unusually tired regularly, the best step you can take is to see your doctor.
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.