Overview
Hypertension (also called high blood pressure) is a primary risk factor for heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, over 73 million Americans over the age of 20 are hypertensive. High blood pressure is called the silent killer because an individual can have the disease for years before experiencing the first symptom. The easiest way to measure blood pressure is by using a sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope.
Step 1
Have your blood pressure taken by your doctor or a trained health care professional using a sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope. To get accurate readings, you should be sitting down and not have eaten or engaged in physical exercise for at least one hour. Record your readings in a notebook or journal.
Step 2
Understand that blood pressure readings are typically recorded with the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure separated by a slash. For example, 130/80 mmHb means a 130 systolic blood pressure and an 80 diastolic blood pressure. Both numbers are important diagnostic indicators of hypertension.
Step 3
Note your systolic blood pressure reading. An optimal reading is below 140 mmHg. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure of the blood as it is forced through the arteries by the heart. High systolic blood pressure may indicate coronary artery disease or hardening of the arteries.
Step 4
Note your diastolic blood pressure. An optimal reading is below 90 mmHg. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure of the arteries against the blood, in between heart beats. High diastolic blood pressure could indicate aortic stenosis, pericardial diseases or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy--an enlarged heart that beats less efficiently than a healthy one.
Step 5
Take your blood pressure a second time if your systolic reading is above 140 mmHg and your diastolic reading is above 90. Systolic readings between 140 and 159 mmHg indicate stage I hypertension. Continue to monitor your blood pressure over the next six months. If your blood pressure remains at this level, talk to your doctor about treating your hypertension through diet, exercise or by trying one of the many blood pressure medications on the market.
Step 6
Adjust your medications and diet if your systolic blood pressure is over 160 mmHg and your diastolic blood pressure is higher than 100 mmHg. Ask your doctor about exploring other medications.
Step 7
Measure your blood pressure on both arms and at different times of the day. Take your sphygmomanometer into your doctor's office and compare the results you get against the results his nurse gets taking the same measurement on the same arm using their office sphygmomanometer.
Tips and Warnings
- Relax for 10 to 15 minutes before taking your blood pressure. Take your blood pressure on both arms and compare the results. Calibrate your sphygmomanometer against others with known accuracy.
- Do not take the measurements literally. There is always a margin of error. Avoid taking measurements after exercising or eating.
Things You'll Need
- Sphygmomanometer
- Stethoscope
