This document provides instructions for monitoring blood pressure at home. It recommends establishing a schedule for regular measurements and recording readings in a chart or monitor memory. Key steps include understanding normal blood pressure levels, learning to use the home monitor properly with the correct sized cuff, and aiming for accurate readings by avoiding caffeine/smoking before, relaxing, using the same arm in the proper position, and taking readings at the same time each day. Even with home monitoring, regular doctor visits are still important.
This document provides instructions for monitoring blood pressure at home. It recommends establishing a schedule for regular measurements and recording readings in a chart or monitor memory. Key steps include understanding normal blood pressure levels, learning to use the home monitor properly with the correct sized cuff, and aiming for accurate readings by avoiding caffeine/smoking before, relaxing, using the same arm in the proper position, and taking readings at the same time each day. Even with home monitoring, regular doctor visits are still important.
This document provides instructions for monitoring blood pressure at home. It recommends establishing a schedule for regular measurements and recording readings in a chart or monitor memory. Key steps include understanding normal blood pressure levels, learning to use the home monitor properly with the correct sized cuff, and aiming for accurate readings by avoiding caffeine/smoking before, relaxing, using the same arm in the proper position, and taking readings at the same time each day. Even with home monitoring, regular doctor visits are still important.
This document provides instructions for monitoring blood pressure at home. It recommends establishing a schedule for regular measurements and recording readings in a chart or monitor memory. Key steps include understanding normal blood pressure levels, learning to use the home monitor properly with the correct sized cuff, and aiming for accurate readings by avoiding caffeine/smoking before, relaxing, using the same arm in the proper position, and taking readings at the same time each day. Even with home monitoring, regular doctor visits are still important.
Measuring your blood pressure at home can help Establish a schedule your doctor to diagnose and prevent health Your doctor will tell you how often you should problems. Your doctor may want to know check your blood pressure. Record the mea- whether lifestyle changes you are making are surement on a chart, or use the memory function lowering your blood pressure. If you are already that is included with some monitors. One good taking blood pressure medicine, monitoring your plan may be to take 3 readings, twice a day, for blood pressure at home can help you see if 2 weeks. Another strategy is to check your blood the medicine is working. Or, your doctor may pressure only once a day, before you take your want to see if your blood pressure is lower (or medication. If your blood pressure is well-con- higher) at home than in the doctor’s office. Home trolled, you may need to check it only a few monitoring can also help you remember to take times a week. your medicine. Even if you measure your blood pressure at home, you must still see your doctor Your monitoring plan regularly. I will measure my blood pressure _____ times per day. Understand blood pressure I will measure my blood pressure at these measurement times____________________. Normal blood pressure levels are less than I will measure my blood pressure __________ 130/85 mm Hg. If yours is higher than this, you times per week. may have high blood pressure (hypertension). The upper number is the systolic pressure. This means the pressure your heart uses to pump Aim for accuracy blood with each beat. The lower number is dias- tolic pressure. It means the pressure in your To get the best blood pressure readings, arteries in between beats. The “mm Hg” means follow these tips: “millimeters of mercury.” • Avoid caffeine and smoking for 30 minutes before taking your blood pressure. Learn how to use your monitor • Relax for 5 minutes first. Read the instructions that come with your moni- • Use the same arm each time. Sit in a chair with a back, with your arm resting on a desk tor, and ask your doctor to show you how to use or table in front of you at the level of your it. Compare the readings with those taken at the heart. If your arm is higher or lower than your same time from your doctor’s monitor to see if heart, the readings will be too low or too high. you are taking your blood pressure the right way. • Take the readings at the same time Make sure you purchase a monitor with the each day. right size cuff for you. If you use a cuff that is too small, the reading may be too high. Mea- sure around your upper arm with a tape mea- NOTES sure at the midpoint between the tip of your shoulder and the elbow. Write down the num- ber of inches, and compare it to the cuff mea- surements in the store. Cuffs come in small, medium, and large sizes. The large size is hard to find, so you may have to ask your pharma- cist to order one. Keep in mind that even peo- ple who are of average weight may need a large size. Make sure that you put the cuff— and the sensor—at the right place on your arm.
This patient information sheet may be photocopied for distribution by physicians to their patients. Written permission is required for any other use.
