Measure your blood pressure regularly to help your health care team diagnose any health problems early. You and your health care team can take steps to control your blood pressure if it is too high. Show
Why do I need to measure my blood pressure?Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure. High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it. Where can I get my blood pressure checked?You can get your blood pressure measured
Take this form [PDF – 105 KB] with you on your first blood pressure visit to record important blood pressure-related information. What affects a blood pressure reading?Many things can affect a blood pressure reading, including:
It’s important to get an accurate blood pressure reading so that you have a clearer picture of your risk for heart disease and stroke. A reading that says your blood pressure is lower than it actually is may give you a false sense of security about your health. A reading that says your blood pressure is higher than it actually is may lead to treatment you don’t need. What is the correct way to measure blood pressure?Learn the correct way to have your blood pressure taken, whether you’re getting it checked at the doctor’s office or checking it yourself at home. Use this checklist:
If you are keeping track of your blood pressure at home, use these additional tips. How do health care professionals measure my blood pressure?First, a health care professional wraps an inflatable cuff around your arm. The health care professional then inflates the cuff, which gently tightens on your arm. The cuff has a gauge on it that will measure your blood pressure. The health care professional will slowly let air out of the cuff while listening to your pulse with a stethoscope and watching the gauge. This process is quick and painless. If using a digital or automatic blood pressure cuff, the health care professional will not need to use a stethoscope. The gauge uses a unit of measurement called millimeters of mercury (mmHg) to measure the pressure in your blood vessels. If you have high blood pressure, talk to your health care team about steps to take to control your blood pressure to lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. Use this list of questions to ask your health care team [PDF – 173 KB] to help you manage your blood pressure. How can I measure my blood pressure at home?Talk with your health care team about regularly measuring your blood pressure at home, also called self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring. SMBP means you regularly use a personal blood pressure measurement device away from a doctor’s office or hospital—usually at home. These blood pressure monitors are easy and safe to use. A health care team member can show you how to use one if you need help. Evidence shows that people with high blood pressure are more likely to lower their blood pressure if they use SMBP combined with support from their health care team than if they don’t use SMBP.3 Use these additional tips for SMBP:4
How often should I measure my blood pressure?Talk with your health care team about how often you should have your blood pressure measured or when to measure it yourself. People who have high blood pressure may need to measure their blood pressure more often than people who do not have high blood pressure. What should I do if my blood pressure numbers are high?If you are concerned about your blood pressure numbers, talk to your health care team. They can help you make a plan to manage high blood pressure. No matter your age, you also can take steps each day to help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. Shareable Handouts and Tools in English and SpanishHow do you check your blood pressure with your fingers?Place your index and middle finger of your hand on the inner wrist of the other arm, just below the base of the thumb. You should feel a tapping or pulsing against your fingers.
Can I check my BP without a machine?The most accurate way to measure blood pressure is using a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff or machine) and stethoscope. While there are ways you can check your blood pressure at home using only your pulse and no equipment, these methods are unreliable and not recommended.
Can you manually check your own blood pressure?Many people can check their own blood pressure at home without difficulty. Some need help from a family member or friend. Your home blood pressure reading is more likely to be accurate if you do the following: Don't take readings within a half-hour after smoking, exercising, or drinking beverages with caffeine.
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