"Blood pressure readings when taken at home provide a much more accurate and reliable measurement as compared to a single blood pressure reading taken at a doctor’s office, where you are likely to be anxious and possibly stressed from trying to find a parking space," shares Dr. Majid Basit, MD, a cardiologist with Memorial Hermann Medical Group.You may feel so seen right now. Cardiologists also want to see more people take this one important step when taking their blood pressure at home. Continue reading for the one thing never to skip when monitoring blood pressure outside of a doctor's office, along with some additional tips for getting the most accurate readings.
Blood pressure readings contain two numbers: systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure."The systolic blood pressure, the top number in the reading, indicates the pressure against your blood vessels when the heart is pumping out blood," explains Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center.
Underneath it, you'll see the equally important diastolic blood pressure. "This represents the pressure in your arteries when the heart is at rest," Dr. Basit reports.
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Don’t Skip This Step When Taking Your Blood Pressure at Home, Cardiologists Warn
Dr. Chen echoes these sentiments. "Recording the higher reading enables us to better target elevated blood pressure in people," he says.
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"Some people are born with a condition called coarctation of the aorta," reportsDr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company. "This is a narrowing or stricture in the aorta, typically before the [start] of the artery providing blood to the left arm."
On the right side, a difference in blood pressure might signify what's known as peripheral vascular disease. "Peripheral vascular disease can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, which limits the flow of blood to the arm and hand," Dr. Serwer notes. "This can lead to lower blood pressure readings in the affected limb."
Dr. Williams also points out that it's not only normal but healthy to have different blood pressure readings throughout the day. "These variations help the body respond to certain conditions."
Physical activityStressMeals/digestionThe temperature of your environmentMedicationsHydration (or dehydration)Hormonal changes
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What To Do if Your Blood Pressure Is Higher in One or Both Arms
Dr. Serwer agrees, clarifying that it's still important to keep your care team in the loop: "If there is a large difference in blood pressure in both arms when taken on several measurements, check with your physician, who may order additional testing to determine the cause."
Additionally, Dr. Williams urges people to seek urgent care if they have readings below 90/60 mm Hg alongside other symptoms like dizziness or fainting.
Cardiologists say other important steps can help you get the most accurate blood pressure reading at home. Dr. Basit advises that you:
Avoid smoking, drinking caffeinated beverages or exercising about a half hour before taking your blood pressure.Try to apply the blood pressure cuff onto bare skin rather than over clothing.Stay still and do not speak (Dr. Basit emphasizes that this one is important because fidgeting and talking "can disrupt the mechanism used by the blood pressure machine.")Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor and your legs uncrossed. Position the blood pressure cuff on the upper arm located at the level of your heart.Avoid wrist cuffs, which are less accurate.Ensure the cuff size is right for you.Take your blood pressure in the morning and before sleep.Check your blood pressure twice and take the average.Importantly, doctors will also look for a trend in your blood pressure in both arms—because now you know to take that crucial step.
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Sources:
Heart and Stroke Statistics. American Heart Association.Dr. Majid Basit, MD, a cardiologist with Memorial Hermann Medical GroupDr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical CenterHome Blood Pressure Monitoring. American Heart Association.Dr. Nina Williams, MD, a cardiologist at Saint Francis Heart and Vascular InstituteClinical relevance of double‐arm blood pressure measurement and prevalence of clinically important inter‐arm blood pressure differences in Indian primary care. TheJournal of Clinical Hypertension.Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health companyHence then, the article about cardiologists are begging you to never skip one thing when checking your blood pressure at home was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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