Checking your blood pressure is an essential part of managing hypertension or high blood pressure. Just like the blood pressure monitor for hospital use, home monitoring is equally crucial. It can help check if certain medications are working or not and alert you to potential health risks. These monitors are available in the market widely, and you can get one without a prescription. However, before you start its usage, you should know about the correct technique of checking the readings.
Benefits of Blood Pressure Monitor
Your doctor will use the blood pressure monitor for hospital use to check your BP. However, you can not visit the hospital every time you need to check your blood pressure. Therefore, getting an at-home monitor is very helpful for regular checks. Following are the benefits of using a blood pressure monitor:
1- Early Diagnosis
Self-monitoring can aid your doctor in diagnosing hypertension earlier than having only random blood pressure readings in a medical office. Home monitoring is vital if you have heart conditions contributing to high blood pressure, like diabetes or kidney problems.
2- Track the Treatment
It is the only way to know whether your lifestyle modifications or medications are working or not. Monitoring blood pressure changes at home can help your doctor decide your treatment, such as modifying dosages or changing medications.
3- Better Control
Self-monitoring also gives you a stronger sense of responsibility for your health. You may feel a strong urge to stay motivated to manage your blood pressure with an improved diet, physical activity, and proper use of medication.
4- Lessen your Health Care Costs
Self-monitoring will decrease the number of visits to your doctor or clinic. It will ultimately reduce your health care costs.
5- Checks the Variation in your Blood Pressure
People may experience variation in blood pressure due to anxiety connected with seeing a doctor, also known as white coat hypertension. Some people have normal blood pressure at a clinic but elevated pressure elsewhere, known as masked hypertension. Monitoring blood pressure at home can help conclude if you have high blood pressure.
Device Accuracy
Before buying a blood pressure monitor, check with your physician to ensure the monitor is validated, meaning its readings are accurate and repeatable. At least once a year, check the correctness of your monitor by bringing it to your doctor’s office and comparing your monitor’s readings with those taken by the physician.
Tips for Accurate Use
Your doctor will have a blood pressure monitor for hospital use. At-home monitors work differently, and you should know how to operate them well. It does not matter what type of home blood pressure monitor you prefer; proper use needs training and practice.
Following are the tips for proper use of a blood pressure monitor:
1- Check your Device Accuracy
Before you use a monitor for the first time:
- Have your doctor check its accuracy against the office model.
- Have your doctor watch you use the device to see if you’re doing it correctly.
- If you drop the device or damage it, have it checked before using it again.
2- Measure your Blood Pressure Twice Daily
When you measure, take two or three readings to make sure your results are valid. The first measurement should be in the morning before taking breakfast or any medications, and the second in the evening. Your doctor might advise taking your blood pressure at the same time each day.
3- Do not Measure Right after you Wake Up
You can prepare your day and check your BP after some time of waking up. However, you are not allowed to take breakfast or medications before checking your morning blood pressure. Likewise, if you exercise in the morning, then take your blood pressure before exercising.
4- Be Silent before and during Monitoring
Before you get ready to take your blood pressure, sit for five to six minutes in a comfortable and relaxing position. Your legs and ankles should be uncrossed, and your back should be well-supported. Stay calm when getting your BP checked, and do not talk at all.
Blood pressure alters throughout the day, and readings are often a little higher in the morning. Moreover, your blood pressure might be somewhat lower at home than in a medical office by about five points.
Reach out to your doctor if you have any unusual increases in your blood pressure.
For more information, you can always visit the liaquat national hospital and get an appointment with a physician.