The Benefits Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

About High Blood Pressure

According to the JNC-7, high blood pressure affects about 50 million people in the United States. Of these people about 30% are not aware they have high blood pressure. And only 34% of those who have high blood pressure have it under control. They further explain that reducing blood pressure can decrease chances of stroke, heart attacks and heart failure. As a result it is very important to identify and treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure often has no signs or symptoms so the primary way to detect high blood pressure is by having your blood pressure checked when you visit the doctor. This will catch many cases of high blood pressure but not all.

Home Monitoring

Home blood pressure monitoring can catch some cases that will be missed at the doctor’s office and it is a good way for someone to be involved in their own care. By keeping track of your readings and showing them to your doctor, they will have more information about how your blood pressure changes during the day and will be able to make better treatment decisions.

Home monitoring can also detect:

• White Coat Hypertension – Blood pressure is high in the doctors office but normal the rest of the time. This usually does not need treatment.
• Masked Hypertension – Blood pressure is normal in the doctors office but is high the rest of the time. Will probably need treatment but often will not be treated.
• Morning Hypertension – There is a sharp increase in blood pressure in the mornings. Some believe this to be the most dangerous type of high blood pressure with increased chances of heart attacks and stroke.

These three types of high blood pressure usually cannot be detected in the doctors office.

When taking your blood pressure at home it is a good idea to write the information down (date, time, blood pressure, heart rate) on a Blood Pressure Log and bring this log into your doctor’s office during your appointment.

Blood pressure Monitors

• Manual – This type of monitor consists of an inflatable arm cuff, a pressure gauge and a pumping bulb. You use a stethescope to listen to arterial blood sounds as you pump up the pressure in the cuff, then deflate it. It requires some skill and practice to master this technique and is difficult to perform on yourself. One advantage is they are less expensive.
• Digital – This type of monitor is completely automatic and will inflate, deflate, measure blood pressure and heart rate at the touch of a button. Many will also store multiple readings. These are available for the upper arm, wrist and finger although the upper arm style is considered to be the most accurate.

When purchasing a home blood pressure monitor consider the following

• Cuff size – This is essential to getting an accurate reading. Many monitors are available with different sized cuffs. If your arm is large or small, pick a cuff size that is appropriate.
• Display – Make sure it is easy to read and the numbers are clear.
• Accuracy – Bring the monitor with you when you visit the doctor and compare it to the reading from your your doctor. Also you can check if it has been validated by the British Hypertension Society or the Dable Educational Trust.

Tips to get an accurate Blood Pressure Reading

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and alcohol for 30 minutes prior to testing.
• Use the bathroom before testing.
• Rest quietly for at least 5 minutes before testing.
• Follow all the instructions that came with your monitor.
• Sit in a comfortable position, lags and ankles uncrossed, and back supported.
• Your arm should be supported (on a table or desk) at the level of your heart.
• The cuff should not be over clothing and should be wrapped snug (not tight) on the arm.

Learn more about high blood pressure at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Get a free blood pressure log you can download and print and bring with you to the doctor.

Here are a few Omron brand Blood Pressure Monitors