High blood pressure affects nearly half of American adults. It can cause complications like heart attack, stroke or kidney failure. According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure can also lead to worse COVID-19 outcomes.
“The best way to know if you have high blood pressure is to monitor it. Having your blood pressure monitored by a health professional at least once per year and regularly monitoring it yourself at home and discussing your numbers and a healthy lifestyle plan with a doctor is a great way to control your blood pressure,” says Willie Lawrence, M.D. cardiologist and American Heart Association volunteer expert.
Measure accurately
These are the essential things you need to know in order to get the best reading, regardless of whether you measure your blood pressure at your home or have it taken in a doctor’s office.
Get ready. After checking your blood pressure, don’t smoke or consume caffeine. Before you measure, empty your bladder and take a rest for 5 minutes.
Set yourself up. Sit straight on a chair with a back. Place your feet flatten on the ground and cross your legs. Your upper arm should rest on a flat surface, with your lower arm at the level your heart. The bottom of the monitor cuff should be placed just above your elbow.
Go. Each day, you should take your blood pressure at approximately the same time. You should take two to three blood pressure readings every minute and then record them on paper. Some blood pressure monitors can save your results or allow you to upload them to a secure site. Please share your results with your doctor.
Learn the meaning of your numbers
A normal blood pressure reading is 120/80. A high blood pressure reading is one that is consistently higher than 130/80. High blood pressure readings of 180/120 and higher can indicate a serious condition. It is worth waiting five minutes before checking it again. If it does not come down, you should see a doctor immediately. You should immediately dial 9-1-1 if you have symptoms like headaches, weakness, difficulty seeing, chest pains and back pains. Don’t wait until your blood pressure drops. This could indicate a serious health issue.
How to reduce your risk
High blood pressure can be reduced by being healthy, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and not drinking or smoking. However, if you do develop high blood pressure, don’t give up. You can live a long, healthy life by knowing your blood pressure numbers and monitoring them as often as you need to.
Many local organizations and businesses such as churches and beauty shops, community health centers, and barbershops are working with American Heart Association in controlling blood pressure in their communities. These places can help you monitor your blood pressure and get information to help you live a healthy, happy life.
Visit www.amazon.com for more information heart.org/hbpcontrol.
