How to Self Monitor Blood Pressure at Home
How do you self-monitor your blood pressure at home? Examining your blood pressure at home is so crucial because it keeps you alert of any other health complications you might be encountering.
However, the steps of self-monitoring your blood at home can be a bit confusing, especially if it is your first time initiating the process. In this article, we’ve documented the proven tips and tactics how to self-monitor blood pressure at home effortlessly.
Therefore, The American Heart Association (AHA) plus other organizations advise anyone suffering from high blood pressure examines his/her blood pressure at the comfort of your home.
Before we discuss how to monitor blood pressure at home, let’s pen down some of the reasons why you should monitor your blood pressure at home;
Top 3 Reasons why you should monitor your Blood Pressure at Home
Help Keep Record of your Treatment
How will you know your health condition?
The only way to understand your health condition and other changes in your body is by checking your blood pressure at a regular interval.
So, checking your blood pressure at home might help you and your doctor keep a record of your health condition for better treatment. Also, you’ll be in a portion to make a decision and adjust your dosage and medication.
The only way to understand your health condition and other changes in your body is by checking your blood pressure at a regular interval.
So, checking your blood pressure at home might help you and your doctor keep a record of your health condition for better treatment. Also, you’ll be in a portion to make a decision and adjust your dosage and medication.
Help with Early Treatment
When you endeavor to check your blood pressure at a regular interval, it will help your doctor get to know some of the other health underlying conditions you might be encountering.
Therefore, checking your blood can help doctors notice the early signs of blood pressure in your body and initiate early blood pressure treatment.
In addition, it is recommended, if you have other health conditions that may lead to high blood pressure such as kidney problems or diabetes to regularly check your blood pressure at home to rate your condition.
Give you a Solid Sense of Responsibility
Examining your blood pressure at an interval or regularly might give you a solid sense of health responsibility.
Therefore, checking your blood pressure might motivate and encourage you to maintain good health by taking a balanced diet, proper medication, and excising.
Moreover, checking your blood pressure might help you cut your medical cost. Simply, you’ll lessen the number of hospital visits to your doctor for medical checkups.
Now you know why you should monitor your blood pressure at home, right? How do you conduct the whole process of self-monitoring? Let’s delve in;
Tips and Tactics How to Self Monitor Blood Pressure at Home
There are different types of home blood pressure monitoring you can opt for when checking your blood pressure.
Despite the type of home blood pressure you’ll opt to use, you must follow proper guidelines, training, and requirement when checking your blood pressure.
So, take your doctor’s advice on how to self-monitor your blood at home correctly. To get you started, the following tips and tactics might help you jumpstart blood pressure monitoring at home;
Examining the Accuracy of your device
As aforementioned above, there are different types of devices you can choose to self-monitor your blood. So, it is prudent to examine the accuracy of your device before using it.
To ensure the accuracy of your device, a doctor might check it, and also watch whether you’ll be using the device correctly or not.
Likewise, if you mistakenly drop the device, or damage it, ensure you check it before use. Having done all the checkups on your device, move to the next step.
Measure your Blood Pressure
When measuring your blood pressure, the following are the core points to note during this stage;
- Measurement should be done twice a day. That’s: in the morning before taking anything and in the evening.
- Every time you measure your blood, take 2-3 readings to ensure you get accurate readings.
Avoid taking Blood Measurements after eating Breakfast
To get accurate results of your blood measurements, you must avoid the following:
- Taking your measurement after excising
- Don’t take other medication before measuring your blood pressure
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, or food for about 30 minutes before taking your blood measurement.
Other tips include;
- Sit comfortably before and during monitoring
- Always use the same arm when taking blood pressure
- Insert the cuff on bare skin
- Wait for some minutes and take another measurement to check the accuracy of your blood measurement.
These blogs are for informational purposes only. For medical advice specific to your needs, please consult with your pharmacist and/or health care provider.
