When is the best time to take your blood pressure? Most people wonder about this as they don’t know when is the perfect time to take their blood pressure readings. If you are one of these people, you clicked on the right article as we will give you all the information related to the perfect time to find your readings. So, just keep reading this article till the end to know everything!
1. How to Check Blood Pressure Readings at Home?
Keeping a monitor on your blood pressure is one of the healthiest ways to maintain your overall health. However, most people don’t even know how to check blood pressure or even blood pressure readings. In case, you are one of these people, this article is for you as we will tell you every step so that you can check your blood pressure at home. You should buy a home blood pressure monitor which has all the basic features such as a comfortable arm cuff. There are also many cuff styles available in the market. For more information about which blood pressure monitor to buy, you can check it with a healthcare professional once.
You should have a home blood pressure monitor to check your blood pressure at home. It should be noted that the cuff should fit your arm. You don’t need to do anything. You must put the cuff on your upper arm and press the button. The results will be displayed digitally. Keep a check on your readings every day so that you can take them to your doctor’s office in your next appointment.
2. What are Healthy Blood Pressure Readings?
As all our readers are already aware that the readings of blood pressure always come in two numbers. These numbers are called systolic (upper number) and diastolic (bottom number) and it is usually measured in millimetres of mercury. So, a blood pressure reading of 120/80 would be read as “120 over 80“.
According to American Heart Association and Havard Medical Office, there are five different categories of blood pressure. Let’s take a look at those other categories.
2.1) Normal
Readings that fall in the range of 120/80 mm or less than 120/80 are considered to be normal. A medical health professional might recommend you some lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure.
2.2) Elevated Blood Pressure
The blood pressure readings between 130 mm HG systolic and less than 80 mm hg diastolic come under this range. You need to change your lifestyle changes and take some precautions to lower your blood pressure.
2.3) High Blood Pressure Stage 1
As the name already suggests, it is considered very bad for the health of human begins, especially heart patients. The blood pressure measurements range from 130-139 mm hg systolic and 80-89 mm hg diastolic. Even if you are not a heart patient, you might be at risk.
2.4) High Blood Pressure Stage 2
Readings range from 140 mm Hg systolic or 90 mm Hg diastolic or even higher. You have to take care of your health. You can seek the help of a medical professional and they might give you medicines to lower your blood pressure. You should follow all the safety rules and avoid eating things that your doctor suggests. You should also not miss your medicines.
2.5) Hypertensive Crisis
A reading which is higher than 180/120 is considered a case of hypertensive crisis and requires the medical attention of a doctor as soon as possible. This is a serious condition and the symptoms are chest pain, difficulty in breathing, dizziness, weakness, difficulty speaking, back pain, vision changes ad many more.
3. When is the Best Time to Take Your Blood Pressure?
It has been found in various types of research that your blood pressure level changes throughout the day. So, you must take at least two or three readings throughout the day. Let’s take a look at the best time in a day to take your blood pressure so that you can get an accurate reading.
3.1) Choose the Time That Works for You
It is suggested that you should check your blood pressure every day at the same time. So, it becomes important for you to choose the time that will work for you so that you can monitor your blood pressure at the same time. It is important to monitor your blood pressure and keep a check on it.
You can select the time when you would be at home or the time when you won’t be disturbed. It is also advisable to take the readings at least two times. Always sitting on a chair while taking a reading at standing can affect your readings.
On the bottom line, there is no fixed time to take the readings but you should always take the readings at the same time every day.
4. Best Practices to Follow to Get Accurate Readings
As you have already read that it is really easy to keep a check on your blood pressure. However, there are a few things that you should follow so that you get accurate readings at home. Here are some tips which will help you to get the best and most accurate readings at home.
4.1) Pick a Convenient Time
As already stated above, choose the time when it would be convenient for you to take your blood pressure. The time when you won’t have work and you can take your reading without any disturbance.
4.2) Measure at the Same Time Everyday
Harvard Medical School suggests that your blood pressure should be measured at the same time every day. If not, blood pressure changes throughout the day. This is why you need to check your blood pressure at the same time every day.
4.3) Take at least Two Readings Every Time
Your blood pressure fluctuates a lot and it might not give you the correct reading. This is why it is advisable to take multiple readings and write them down. Change the differences between your blood pressure. Find out your average blood pressure.
4.4) Prepare at least 30 Minutes Before Taking Your Blood Pressure
You should start getting prepared for this at least 30 minutes before this. You should not drink coffee, or even exercise for at least 30 minutes before your blood pressure measurement. It is also advisable not to take blood pressure measurements with a full bladder. You should use the restroom and empty it.
The most important thing is that you should not eat a full meal before your blood pressure monitoring. Following all these things will give you accurate results which you can also take to your next appointment.
4.5) Sit Quietly in a Comfortable Chair
If you take your blood pressure while standing up, it is a possibility that it might give you inaccurate readings. So, it is suggested that you sit quietly and comfortably in a chair before taking your blood pressure. Take deep breaths. Rest your arms on a table or maybe any other flat surface.
5. Tips for Achieving Healthy Blood Pressure Reading
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Some various tips and suggestions will help you to achieve healthy blood pressure readings. American Heart Association recommends that you should eat a balanced diet that has a low quantity of salt. BP patients are also advised to reduce alcohol and also quit smoking.
You also need to lower your weight. For this, go on a walk or running and get some exercise. Stress is considered to be bad for your overall health. Start meditating to limit your stress. You can also maintain a gratitude journal or just a journal itself. It will help you to relieve your stress. Increase your iron intake in your diet. Iron is considered to be one of the most important nutrients for BP patients.
Managing your high blood pressure is itself a challenge. However, it is also not impossible to do so. Being consistent is the key. Self-confidence and self-control also play an important part in managing your blood pressure. You should believe in yourself and that you can control your blood pressure. Change your unhealthy lifestyle into a healthy one.
You just need to work with your doctor and do as your doctor asks you to do. Managing your blood pressure readings can reduce the risk of heart disease, kidney failure, vision loss, stroke, and even heart attack. So, you all need to check your blood pressure and monitor it regularly.
When is the best time to take your type of blood pressure? So, these are some of the practices that you should follow to get an accurate reading. In case, you are experiencing high blood pressure, you should consult a healthcare professional and seek the required medical attention as soon as possible.
A medical professional will be able to guide you and will also tell you the medicines and precautions that you should follow so that your blood pressure reading may come down. We hope you enjoyed reading our article. As of now, it is time for us to say goodbye to all our lovely readers. However, we promise to see you all again with a new piece of article very soon.
Last Updated on by somya909
