How to Prepare Effectively For Your Next Blood Pressure Test

In this age of web technology and information, it is difficult to assess exactly what information is accurate and what information just isn’t. When it comes to blood pressure and information pertaining to how to accurately monitor your blood pressure levels, there are several schools of thought. While some people think that drinking and eating have nothing to do with blood pressure and the accuracy of the results taken, doctors in general have a set of rules or guidelines to which they adhere when it comes to getting accurate results.

Sitting Properly

One of the most important things to keep in mind when getting your next blood pressure check– whether it is at the doctor’s office or at your home– is to stand up straight with your feet on the floor; believe it or not, crossing your legs can increase your blood pressure levels considerably, so if you work at a desk for a large part of the day, it might be a good idea to stand up constantly and avoid crossing your legs. When the time comes for your next blood pressure exam, make sure to remember to keep your feet on the floor.

What to Not Do

Another thing to consider is that your back should be supported against the wall or other object in order to get an accurate reading and you should definitely avoid smoking, drinking or eating prior to the test. Tobacco products such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars contain large amounts of nicotine which will quickly increase your blood pressure levels so we want to avoid this while preparing to get our readings. On the other hand, drinking will fill our bladder, and our blood pressure tends to be lower when our bladders are empty. As the bladder gradually fills, systolic blood pressure can be 10-20 mmHG higher than normal due to the extra work our bodies are putting in in order to regulate the contents in our bladder.

Cuff Size

One of the factors that could massively affect the accuracy of our readings is the size of the cuff and unfortunately, while many nurses and doctors all over the United States are aware of the problem that a cuff too small signifies, they tend to ignore this factor as they usually have multiple patients and they need a cuff that will fit most sizes. When it comes to the correct size, we are looking for a cuff that is about 20 percent longer than our arm. If you are considering purchasing a home monitor in order to keep track of your blood pressure levels, you might consider purchasing a cuff that fits you correctly or a cuff that is adjustable, which is ultimately a good option if there are several people in your home who will need to have their blood pressure levels monitored.

Keep a watchful eye and be proactive

Having a home monitor can be one of the best things you can do for your health if you are currently struggling with hypertension, as this will show you the results of leading a healthier lifestyle or perhaps taking a natural supplement to help maintain healthy blood pressure levels like PD120. It can also help you track your progress as you advance further in your treatment. If you are doing your readings at home then you most likely won’t have to worry about doing incorrectly as these home monitors are very easy to setup and operate. If you are doing it the old-fashioned way with a sphygmomanometer then there are some technical aspects that you need to consider in order to get an accurate reading. If you are not sure on how to use a sphygmomanometer correctly, it might be a good idea to ask a professional nurse or doctor to help you get an accurate reading. If this is not a possibility, just go with the home monitor and a cuff with an appropriate size for your arm.

Regardless of what measurement method you choose, it is important to consider the implications associated with maintaining high blood pressure levels; as you may or may not already know, hypertension is commonly associated with a large number of heart conditions that can lead to death if ignored. This is one of the main reasons why people struggling with obesity, stressful environments and a diet rich in sodium should consider monitoring their blood pressure on a regular basis in order to avoid the devastating effects of high blood pressure and the dangerous conditions that could arise from ignoring the effects of hypertension in the human body.