Why are Blood Pressure Checks Important?

Blood pressure is a term that refers to the force exerted by your blood against the walls of your arteries as it is pushed throughout your body. A blood pressure test is used to check if your blood pressure is normal or if it is too high or low. Keep reading to learn how to check blood pressure from home.

Having low blood pressure (hypotension) isn't usually a big deal, but it can make some people dizzy or faint. On the other hand, if you don't treat high blood pressure (hypertension), you're more likely to get heart attacks and strokes.

This simple test is the easiest way to determine your blood pressure—and it may save your life.

When and where should you have your blood pressure checked?

If you are concerned about your blood pressure at any moment, you should undergo a blood pressure test.

If you are over 40 years old, you can undergo this test as part of an NHS Health Check, which is offered every five years to anyone in England aged 40 to 74. You may need to have your blood pressure checked more often, if you have been diagnosed with high or low blood pressure, or if you are at risk of developing either.

You can get your blood pressure taken in a variety of locations, including:

- Your local primary care physician's office
- Some pharmacies
- Some workplaces

Learn more on why it's important to check your blood pressure in our previous blog post here:

Importance of Blood Pressure Test 

 

How to check blood pressure from home correctly

Blood pressure devices look different, but they are all the same kind of measuring tool that usually has an arm cuff.

Typically, the cuff is wrapped around your upper arm and inflated until it feels snug. This can be a little unsettling, but it only lasts a few seconds.

It is critical to remain calm and avoid speaking during this time, as this is when your blood pressure is taken. If you are having this done by a healthcare expert, they may also use a stethoscope to take your blood pressure.

Typically, an automatic device reads the readings from sensors in the arm cuff and sends them to a digital display.

You should receive the results immediately.

How to check blood pressure from home

If your pharmacist or doctor thinks you have high blood pressure, they may suggest that you monitor your blood pressure for a 24-hour period or do an Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM).

ABPM continuously monitors your blood pressure for 24 hours, using a cuff attached to a portable gadget worn around your waist.

During this period, you may continue with your normal routines.

If you wish to frequently monitor your blood pressure at home, you can purchase a digital blood pressure machine. It’s ideal to choose a machine that measures your blood pressure in your upper arm rather than your wrist or finger.

Here is one of our top pick devices to help you check your blood pressure at home:

 

Suresign Automatic Blood Pressure & Pulse Monitor

Shop Suresign Now

 

How do you feel when you have high blood pressure?

Some patients experience nosebleeds, headaches, or shortness of breath due to high blood pressure. However, those symptoms can be mistaken for a variety of different conditions (serious or non-serious). Typically, these symptoms manifest after blood pressure has risen dangerously high over an extended period of time.

 

When should I be worried about my blood pressure?

If your blood pressure reading is 130/80, it is deemed high (stage 1). 140/90 or above is considered stage 2 hypertension. Seek medical attention immediately if you consistently have a blood pressure level of 180/110 or higher. A reading of this magnitude is referred to as a "hypertensive crisis."

Shop for the best blood pressure monitors at Chemist.net.

 

Shop Now 

 

 

This blog post was written on behalf of Chemist.net by Pharmacy Mentor.