Blood Pressure Monitoring: How to Get It Right
Six ways to get accurate numbers and steer your health in the right direction
Why Monitor at Home?
At-home blood pressure monitoring is a good way to be actively involved in keeping your blood pressure under control. It also may provide a more accurate picture of your blood pressure than occasional measurements taken at the doctor's office. Studies show that home measurements, when taken correctly, are better predictors of cardiovascular risk than office measurements.
In addition, some people's blood pressure readings are considerably higher when measured by a doctor or nurse in a medical setting than when measured elsewhere. This is known as the white-coat effect. It's estimated that 20% of people diagnosed with hypertension based on clinical measurements alone actually have entirely normal blood pressure. Home monitoring can be a useful tool in determining whether a person's high blood pressure reading is accurate or is simply a result of the white-coat effect.
Self-monitoring also may be used to help assess how well medications or lifestyle modifications are working. And there is evidence to suggest that home monitoring may help people reduce their blood pressure.
Choose the Right Blood Pressure Monitoring Device
There are so many devices on the market for measuring blood pressure at home that it can be difficult to know which one to choose. Most people who measure their blood pressure at home use an automatic machine with a digital display. These are easy to use. The cuff inflates and deflates automatically, the numbers are clear and easy to read, and many machines can store and print multiple blood pressure readings. But they do have their downsides. Some are made for use on the left arm only, and they can be expensive.
Here are a few simple guidelines to help you choose the right blood pressure monitoring device:
- Choose a device that measures blood pressure from your upper arm. Wrist and finger monitors are not accurate.
- Choose a monitor with a display that's easy for you to read.
- A monitor that can save, download, and print your readings is best for accurate record-keeping.
- Before you buy, verify that the monitor you're considering has been independently tested, validated, and approved for home use. For a regularly updated list of validated home blood pressure monitors, visit the Web site of the dabl® Educational Trust.
Once you've bought a measuring device, make an appointment with your doctor and take the device with you. That way, if you have any questions about home monitoring or how to read blood pressure numbers, your doctor can provide guidance. Also, some monitors need to be calibrated or checked for accuracy on a regular basis. Your doctor should be able to do this for you.
For more detailed information on choosing and using a home blood pressure monitor, check out this information from the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Keeping an eye on your blood pressure is an easy and effective way to monitor your health and prevent high blood pressure from sneaking up on you.
